High-Level Security Briefing Held at Parliament House
A crucial meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security is currently underway at Parliament House, presided over by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The meeting was convened following a surge in terrorist attacks across the country, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Key Figures in Attendance
The high-level meeting is attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with senior federal ministers and Advisor to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI), and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) are also participating.
Additionally, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Anwarul Haq and Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan are present at the briefing.
Chief Ministers and Key Leaders Join Security Discussions
Other significant attendees include:
- Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi
- Chief Minister KP Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur
- Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti
- Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider
- Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif
- Maulana Fazlur Rehman
- Kamran Murtaza
- Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman
- Senator Kamil Ali Agha
Absences Noted in High-Level Meeting
A few notable figures were absent from the security huddle. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not invited to the meeting. Meanwhile, former Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal, who was invited, chose not to attend.
Additionally, members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) abstained from the meeting, marking their absence amid critical discussions on national security.
PTI’s Conditional Participation
While Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was allowed by the PTI Political Committee to attend, the party conditioned its broader participation on securing a meeting with its founding chairman, Imran Khan.
Following a political committee meeting, PTI leader Sheikh Waqas Akram reiterated the party’s stance:
“PTI will attend only if a meeting with the founding chairman is arranged.”
Defense Minister Criticizes PTI’s Boycott
In response to PTI’s absence, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticized the party’s decision to boycott the national security briefing.
“Their motto is ‘No Khan, No Pakistan,’” said Asif, adding that PTI is prioritizing political interests over the country’s security. He condemned the boycott as “anti-patriotic,” especially at a time when Pakistan is battling escalating terrorist threats.
Planned Anti-Terror Operation
Meanwhile, sources indicate that the government is considering launching a large-scale military operation against banned terrorist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in response to recent attacks.
Rana Ahsan Afzal, a close aide to the prime minister, confirmed that discussions are underway to organize a Multi-Party Conference (MPC), where all political stakeholders would be invited to discuss the country’s security challenges.
