- Opposition leaders urge to prioritize the national interest.
- Law Minister says PM Shehbaz will give closed-door briefing.
- Achakzai suggests expanding the information to the entire parliament.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and heads of political parties for a briefing on the regional situation, Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said the meeting will be held tomorrow at 11:30 am to discuss internal and regional security amid Pakistan’s response to the provocative actions of the Afghan Taliban regime along the border and the conflict in the Middle East.
“We have come to invite opposition leaders and party chiefs on the instructions of the prime minister,” Sanaullah said.
He said opposition leaders have been asked to offer views beyond partisan considerations.
“Opposition leaders will consult with their colleagues before making any decision,” Sanaullah said, emphasizing that neither side should include any demands in the meeting.
However, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, suggested that the briefing should be expanded to the entire parliament instead of selected members.
“Given the dangerous regional developments, Parliament must be fully informed. We will give our response tomorrow morning after consulting with our colleagues,” he said.
The scheduling of the briefing comes as tensions rise in the Middle East following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
The two countries launched an assault on Tehran on February 28, and US officials said the military campaign was aimed at destroying Iran’s navy and missile capabilities.
Apart from the Middle East conflict, Pakistan is also tackling cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan.
The Pakistan Armed Forces continue ground and air operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting Afghan Taliban elements and Fitna al-Khawarij militants involved in the cross-border incursion.
Security forces launched the operation on February 27 after Afghan Taliban fighters resorted to unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Since then, security forces have killed 464 Afghan Taliban fighters, while more than 660 have been injured.
Pakistani forces have destroyed 188 Afghan Taliban checkpoints and captured 31 posts.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the prime minister will give a closed-door briefing to the country’s political leaders during the meeting.
He added that Sanaullah has been entrusted with the task of extending invitations to heads of political parties.
