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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government decided on Tuesday to convene a closed-door briefing for leaders of political parties and parliamentary leaders on the rapidly evolving regional security situation, including the latest developments involving Iran and ongoing tensions with Afghanistan.
The high-level plunge comes amid war between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance that has engulfed much of the Middle East, with Tehran hitting several Gulf states with drones and missiles in retaliation.
The simmering tensions have far-reaching implications as a senior security official called for “internal cohesion” on Monday.
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the all-important briefing, while the top military leadership is likely to attend the session scheduled for 5 p.m. 11:30 in the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.
In the Senate, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar announced the invitation, stating that Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah had been tasked with coordinating the attendance and issuing person-to-person invitations.
“This is a sensitive situation,” Tarar said. “We have defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and relations with Iran. In this matter, politics should be put aside – Tomorrow the Prime Minister will arrange an in-camera briefing for all political leaders.”
He added that suggestions and decisions from the participants would form the basis of the future strategy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also referred to the Senate briefing earlier, noting that it would cover the situation between the Middle East and the Gulf and Afghanistan-related issues amid “challenging times” of regional conflict.
In accordance with the Prime Minister’s directives, Rana Sanaullah led a delegation to meet the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas in the Leader of the Opposition’s chamber to formally extend the invitation.
“The prime minister has invited all party leaders and parliamentary leaders for tomorrow’s in-camera briefing,” Rana told reporters. “Current circumstances require us to rise above personal and partisan politics and demonstrate unity for national security.”
However, Achakzai expressed reservations and argued that the briefing should not be limited to selected leaders.
“Our position is that the briefing should not be limited to specific individuals but given to the whole of Parliament,” he said. “It would be better if it is held in a joint session or at least in the Senate. The regional situation is dangerous and the House must be taken into confidence.”
He added that a final decision would follow internal hearings.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said consultations were underway on the government’s proposal.
“We have proposed that a meeting be called in the Folketing, and there is in principle no disagreement about that. However, the government believes that an exclusive meeting with party leaders should take place first. Discussions about this are underway,” he said.
He further noted that there was no rigid position on either side, but broad agreement that a parliamentary meeting should follow soon after.
“There is a consensus that elected officials must be able to openly discuss the situation within a day,” he maintained.
Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that he had received the government’s message and said party consultations were underway.
Wednesday’s briefing follows a high-level civil-military review on Sunday led by the prime minister, which assessed developments in the Gulf, including fallout from recent attacks on Iran, alongside Afghanistan’s border issues, internal threats and evacuation arrangements. Due to its secret nature, the details of that session remain confidential.
PTI imposes conditions
Meanwhile, PTI announced that they would not attend the Prime Minister’s meeting. The party said it would not take part in any government-called engagement unless its founding chairman is allowed to see his personal doctor.
In a formal statement, the PTI said it would boycott the meeting and any future government commitments until its condition is met.
According to the statement, PTI made it clear that “until the founding chairman is allowed to meet his personal doctor, we will not attend any meeting called by the government.”
The party did not provide further details on the agenda of the prime minister’s meeting, but categorically linked its attendance to securing medical access for its jailed leader.
