Islamabad: Former National Assembly Speaker and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has responded to remarks made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, stating that meetings attended by ISI officials were related to discussions on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) legislation and anti-money laundering laws.

Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Qaiser clarified the nature of the meetings and rejected suggestions that they were inappropriate or unofficial.

Response to Khawaja Asif’s Remarks

Addressing the House, Asad Qaiser referred to comments made by Khawaja Asif, who had alleged that meetings involving ISI officials were held at Qaiser’s residence.

In response, the former speaker said that the venue in question was not his personal residence but the official residence of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

“Khawaja Asif said that meetings with ISI officials were taking place at my house. First of all, it was not Asad Qaiser’s personal house; it was the Speaker’s House,” he told lawmakers.

FATF Bills Were Under Discussion

Qaiser explained that the meetings were held during a period when Parliament was working on legislation related to FATF compliance.

According to him, his role as Speaker was to facilitate discussions and coordination between the government and opposition parties to ensure progress on important legislation.

“I was merely facilitating between the government and the opposition on FATF-related bills,” he said.

Input on Anti-Money Laundering Laws

The PTI leader stated that officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were present to provide technical and institutional input regarding legislation connected to anti-money laundering measures and FATF requirements.

He argued that their participation was related to the legislative process and aimed at assisting lawmakers in understanding security and regulatory aspects of the proposed laws.

According to Qaiser, the officials contributed information relevant to:

• FATF compliance measures
• Anti-money laundering legislation
• Financial regulatory reforms
• National security considerations linked to financial crimes

Background of FATF Legislation

Pakistan undertook a series of legislative reforms in recent years to meet the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force, the global body responsible for combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The passage of several bills required cooperation between the government and opposition parties, making parliamentary consultations particularly important during that period.

Political leaders from various parties were involved in discussions aimed at securing consensus on the legislation.

Political Debate Continues

Qaiser’s remarks came amid an ongoing political exchange between government and opposition leaders regarding past parliamentary proceedings and the role of institutions in legislative matters.

The issue has generated debate in political circles, with different parties offering varying interpretations of the meetings and their significance.

Conclusion

Asad Qaiser has defended the meetings referenced by Khawaja Asif, insisting that they were conducted at the Speaker’s official residence and were focused on FATF and anti-money laundering legislation. He maintained that ISI officials were present solely to provide input on relevant bills while he facilitated dialogue between the government and opposition.

The exchange reflects continuing political disagreements over past legislative processes and institutional involvement in policymaking, even as Pakistan’s FATF-related reforms remain a significant chapter in the country’s recent parliamentary history.