ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan has called on all political parties to unite against terrorism, saying the federal government is willing to hold talks with the opposition and other political forces on national security.
Speaking in the Senate, Sanaullah said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal government were prepared to engage all political parties in dialogue to develop a united response to the threat of terrorism.
He contrasted the cooperation extended by the Balochistan government with the approach of the former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government led by Sohail Afridi, criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership for what he described as a failure to fulfil its responsibilities in counterterrorism efforts.
Over 138,000 CNICs blocked in Balochistan
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary informed the Senate that more than 138,000 Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) had been blocked in Balochistan as part of efforts to prevent fraudulent registrations.
Responding to a calling attention notice, he said many of the cards had allegedly been obtained by Afghan nationals through fraudulent documentation or illegal means.
He added that 8,875 CNICs had been blocked in the Rakhshan and Makran divisions.
Chaudhary said the government was reviewing each case on merit and stressed that safeguarding the integrity of the National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) records was essential to maintaining the credibility of national identification data.
Rs116bn earmarked for Balochistan projects
Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan told the House that infrastructure development and road connectivity in Balochistan remained among the government’s key priorities.
He said approximately Rs100 billion had been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the construction of the Pakistan Expressway (N-25), adding that work on the strategically important highway was progressing rapidly.
The minister further stated that out of the Rs164 billion allocated under the PSDP, around Rs116 billion was being spent on development projects in Balochistan, while the remaining funds were being utilised for projects in other parts of the country.
Senate passes two amendment bills
Separately, the Senate passed the Area Study Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Centre for Clinical Psychology Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The House was subsequently adjourned until Friday at 10:30am.
