Parliamentary Leaders Briefed on Regional Tensions, Counterterrorism Operation in In-Camera Session
By Muhammad Awais :
Leaders of parliamentary parties were on Wednesday given an in-camera briefing on the regional security situation during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The session, which began shortly after 11:30am and lasted more than two hours, focused on the ongoing “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” against terrorist hideouts as well as the evolving conflict in the Middle East.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the participants were briefed on the Pakistan-Afghanistan situation, hostilities in Iran, the wider Middle East and the Gulf, and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
“The meeting was given an in-camera briefing regarding the Pakistan-Afghanistan situation, the hostilities in Iran, Middle East and the Gulf, and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts,” the statement said, adding that party leaders freely expressed their views.
Participants underscored the importance of national unity and consensus in the prevailing circumstances and reiterated their commitment to eliminating terrorism from the country.
The PMO said attendees appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach for peace and offered recommendations for the way forward. They also welcomed the prime minister’s decision to take the entire political leadership into confidence.
PTI Boycotts Meeting
While the ruling PML-N extended an invitation to the PTI in the spirit of political unity, the party declined to attend, stating it would not participate in such meetings unless arrangements were made for a meeting with its founder, Imran Khan.
Key Political Figures in Attendance
Among prominent leaders present were Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the PPP, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of the JUI-F.
Other party heads and senior figures included representatives from MQM-P, IPP, BAP and PML-Q, as well as lawmakers from the Senate and National Assembly.
Senior parliamentary officeholders — including Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq — were also present.
Cabinet members attending the session included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, among others.
Advisers to the prime minister on political affairs, including Rana Sanaullah, also attended.
The meeting concluded with a collective call for unity, enhanced diplomatic engagement and sustained counterterrorism efforts amid what officials described as a complex and sensitive regional environment.
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