An in-camera briefing on the regional security situation is currently underway at the Prime Minister’s House, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leading discussions with parliamentary party leaders.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told the National Assembly that the meeting was called to “sit down and develop a course of action so we can move forward,” emphasizing the need for unity “for Pakistan and the security of the wider region.”
However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chose not to participate unless a separate meeting with its founder, Imran Khan, was arranged. The decision was made during a meeting of the PTI’s political committee on Tuesday.
The briefing, which began shortly after 11:30am, covers Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, ongoing ‘Operation Ghazab lil-Haq’ against terrorist hideouts, and the broader Middle East conflict. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in the current regional crisis will also be highlighted.
Attending the briefing are leaders from major parties, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F), Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui (MQM-P), Abdul Aleem Khan (IPP), Khalid Hussain Magsi (BAP), and Chaudhry Salik Hussain (PML-Q).
Senators present include Sherry Rehman, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Pervaiz Rasheed, Faisal Subzwari, Jan Muhammad, Anwarul Haq Kakar, and Hafiz Abdul Kareem. MNAs attending include Naveed Qamar, Farooq Sattar, Aminul Haque, and Pullain Baloch.
Key parliamentary officials such as Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasar, and Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah are also present.
Cabinet members in attendance include Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, and Public Affairs Minister Rana Mubashir Iqbal.
The meeting also includes the Prime Minister’s political advisers, including Rana Sanaullah and Talha Burki.