ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and heads of political parties to attend a high-level briefing on the prevailing regional situation, his adviser Rana Sanaullah said.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Sanaullah announced that the meeting will be held tomorrow at 11:30am.
The session will focus on domestic and regional security challenges, including Pakistan’s response to what he termed provocative actions by the Afghan Taliban along the border, as well as the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
“We have come to invite opposition leaders and party heads on the instructions of the prime minister,” Sanaullah said, urging political stakeholders to rise above partisan interests. He added that opposition leaders have been requested to share their views without attaching any conditions to the meeting.
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai suggested that the briefing should be expanded to the entire parliament instead of being limited to selected members.
“Given the dangerous regional developments, Parliament must be kept fully informed. We will provide our response by tomorrow morning after consulting with our colleagues,” he stated.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran. According to US officials, the February 28 assault on Tehran aimed to dismantle Iran’s naval and missile capabilities.
Alongside the Middle East crisis, Pakistan continues to face cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan. The Pakistan Armed Forces are conducting ground and aerial operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting Afghan Taliban elements and Fitna al-Khawarij militants involved in recent incursions.
Security forces launched the operation on February 27 after Afghan Taliban fighters allegedly resorted to unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Since then, 464 Afghan Taliban fighters have reportedly been killed and over 660 injured. Pakistani forces have also destroyed 188 Taliban checkposts and captured 31 others.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar confirmed that the prime minister will deliver an in-camera briefing to political leaders during the meeting. He added that Rana Sanaullah has been assigned the task of formally extending invitations to party heads.
