.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government decided on Tuesday to hold a closed-door briefing for political party leaders and parliamentary leaders on the rapidly evolving regional security situation, including recent developments involving Iran and ongoing tensions with Afghanistan.
The high-level meeting comes amid a 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.
In this context, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the all-important briefing, while top military leaders are expected to join the session scheduled for Wednesday at 11:30 am at the Prime Minister House.
In the Senate, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar announced the invitation, saying Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah had been tasked with coordinating the participation and sending person-to-person invitations.
“It’s a sensitive situation,” Tarar said. “We have defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and relations with Iran. In this matter, politics must be put aside. Tomorrow the Prime Minister will give a closed-door briefing to all political leaders.”
He added that the participants’ suggestions and decisions would inform future strategy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar also referred to the Senate briefing earlier, noting that it would cover the situation in the Middle East/Gulf and issues related to Afghanistan amid “difficult times” of regional conflict.
As per the Prime Minister’s directives, Rana Sanaullah led a delegation to meet Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Leader of Opposition in Senate Raja Nasir Abbas at the Opposition Leader’s Chamber to formally extend the invitation.
“The prime minister has invited all party leaders and parliamentary leaders for tomorrow’s closed-door briefing,” Rana told reporters. “Current circumstances demand that we rise above personal and partisan politics and demonstrate unity for national security.”
However, Achakzai expressed reservations, arguing that the briefing should not be limited to certain 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 for it to take place in a joint session or at least in the Senate. The regional situation is dangerous and Parliament must be taken into confidence.”
He added that a final decision would follow internal consultations.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman said consultations were underway regarding the government’s proposal.
“We have suggested that a session of Parliament be convened, and there is no disagreement in principle on this point. However, the government believes that an exclusive meeting of party leaders should take place first. Discussions on this are ongoing,” he said.
He further noted that there was no rigid position on either side but there was broad agreement that a parliamentary meeting should follow soon after.
“There is a consensus that, within a day, the people’s elected representatives should be able to openly discuss the situation,” he argued.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed receiving the government’s message, saying inter-party consultations were underway.
Wednesday’s briefing follows a high-level civil-military review chaired by the prime minister on Sunday, which assessed developments in the Gulf, including the fallout from recent attacks on Iran, as well as border issues with Afghanistan, internal threats and evacuation arrangements. Due to its classified nature, details of this session remain confidential.
The PTI sets conditions
Meanwhile, the PTI announced that it would not attend the Prime Minister’s meeting. The party said it would not participate in any government engagements unless its founding president was allowed to meet his personal doctor.
In an official statement, the PTI said it would boycott the meeting and any future government engagements until its conditions are met.
According to the statement, the PTI made it clear that “until the founding president is allowed to meet his personal physician, we will not participate in 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 participation to ensuring medical access to its incarcerated leader.
