Amid escalating terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan’s civil and military leadership is set to attend a crucial in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) today (Tuesday).
The meeting, convened by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will take place in the National Assembly at 11 AM. The military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and his team, will brief the parliamentary committee on the prevailing security situation.
Backdrop of Rising Terrorism
The high-level security huddle comes days after a brutal terrorist attack on a passenger train in Balochistan’s Bolan district. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants derailed the train, took over 440 passengers hostage, and engaged in a day-long standoff with security forces.
The military responded with a clearance operation, rescuing hostages and neutralizing 33 attackers. However, the attack resulted in the tragic loss of 26 passengers, including 18 security personnel, three railway officials, and five civilians. Four security personnel also lost their lives during the operation.
Adding to security concerns, the Global Terrorism Index 2025 has ranked Pakistan as the second-most affected country by terrorism, up from its previous fourth position. The report highlights a 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2024, with fatalities rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. The number of terrorist incidents more than doubled from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024.
Balochistan and KP, both bordering Afghanistan, remain the hardest-hit provinces, accounting for over 96% of terrorist attacks and deaths in the country.
Political Divide Over Security Briefing
Despite the urgency of the session, political divisions persist. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its decision to boycott the meeting, demanding that the government arrange a meeting between PTI leaders and their imprisoned party founder, Imran Khan.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed that no PTI representative would attend the session, except for KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who will participate as the province’s representative.
The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), a multi-party opposition alliance led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has also announced its boycott, questioning the legitimacy of the Shehbaz Sharif-led government.
Other opposition parties, including the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), have also refused to attend. TTAP leader Achakzai argued that a national security session should include representatives from all political parties, including Imran Khan.
Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need for dialogue instead of military operations to ensure national stability.
With multiple parties absent, the effectiveness of today’s session remains uncertain. However, the government aims to address security challenges, particularly in insurgency-hit regions, as Pakistan navigates a critical phase in its fight against terrorism.
