High-level meeting reviews Afghan border clashes, escalating Middle East conflict amid security concerns
A high-level meeting of leaders and parliamentary representatives, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, has begun in Islamabad. PHOTO: PMO
A high-level meeting of leaders and parliamentary representatives, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was held in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the current geopolitical tensions in the region, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
According to the statement, the Prime Minister briefed the leaders on developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as recent regional tensions, particularly in the Middle East and the Gulf. The session also covered Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in the face of current geopolitical challenges.
The meeting included a detailed briefing to ensure parliamentary leaders were fully briefed on the country’s foreign policy approach and regional security posture, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Among the key participants were Senate President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Deputy Speaker Syedaal Khan, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, JUI-F Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman, federal ministers, party leaders and other parliamentary representatives from across the country.
The PMO stressed that the inclusive meeting aimed to maintain transparency with all political stakeholders regarding Pakistan’s foreign policy and security measures amid regional tensions.
Read: Dar reminds Iran of Pak-Saudi defense pact
Pakistan and Afghanistan have been clashing along the border since last week, when Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to Pakistani airstrikes. “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” was launched Thursday evening after renewed clashes along the border, when Afghan Taliban forces fired on several locations, provoking rapid military retaliation.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of not taking action against terrorist groups carrying out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government rejects. Border fighting has affected several Afghan provinces. The violence in recent days is the worst since October fighting that killed more than 70 people on both sides, with land borders between the neighbors largely closed since then.
The meeting also discussed the escalating conflict in the Gulf after the United States and Israel continued their military strikes against Iran, following a joint operation on Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top officials. Iran said schools and hospitals were also targeted, killing hundreds of civilians.
In the first wave of attacks, around 163 girls were killed in an attack on a school in southern Iran.
Tehran responded by targeting Israel, as well as U.S. military assets in the region, disrupting commercial travel, disrupting oil routes and driving up global energy prices.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck more than 500 U.S. and Israeli sites using 700 drones and hundreds of missiles.
