- Opposition leaders are encouraged to prioritize national interest.
- Law Minister says Prime Minister Shehbaz will give an in-camera briefing.
- Achakzai suggests expanding the briefing to the entire parliament.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and leaders of political parties for a briefing on the regional situation, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday.
Addressing the media in Islamabad, he said that the meeting will be held tomorrow at 11.30 to discuss domestic and regional security amid Pakistan’s response to the Afghan Taliban regime’s provocative actions along the border and the conflict in the Middle East.
“We have come to invite opposition leaders and party leaders on the instructions of the prime minister,” Sanaullah said.
He said opposition leaders have been asked to come up with views beyond partisan considerations.
“Opposition leaders will consult with their colleagues before taking any decisions,” Sanaullah said, stressing that no side should attach any demands to the meeting.
However, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai suggested that the briefing should be extended to the entire parliament instead of select members.
“Given the dangerous regional developments, Parliament must be kept fully informed. We will give our response by tomorrow morning at the latest after hearing our colleagues,” he said.
The planning of the briefing comes as tensions rise in the Middle East following joint attacks by the US and Israel against Iran.
The two countries launched an attack on Tehran on February 28, with US officials saying the military campaign was aimed at destroying Iran’s naval and missile capabilities.
Apart from the conflict in the Middle East, Pakistan is also tackling cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan.
The Pakistani armed forces are continuing ground and air operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting Afghan Taliban elements and Fitna al-Khawarij militants involved in the cross-border incursion.
Security forces launched the operation on February 27 after Afghan Taliban fighters resorted to unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Since then, security forces have killed 464 Afghan Taliban fighters, while more than 660 have been wounded.
Pakistani forces have destroyed 188 Afghan Taliban checkpoints while capturing 31 posts.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the prime minister will give an in-camera briefing to the country’s political leaders during the meeting.
He added that Sanaullah has been tasked with issuing invitations to the leaders of political parties.
