PM Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Khawaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Ahsan Iqbal attended the meeting.
PTI’s National Assembly member Basheer Khan left early, while BNP Mengal’s chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Mehmood Khan Achakzai did not attend the session.
“It is regrettable that the opposition did not attend today’s meeting. We had invited them, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The Army Chief gave a 50-minute briefing, followed by a 30-minute briefing by the DG Military Operations. After the briefing, a 15-minute break was announced.
Islamabad: (Web News)
The national political and military leadership has decided to deal with terrorists and extremists with an iron hand.
A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security was held under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and a statement regarding the meeting was also issued.
During the meeting, the committee strongly condemned the recent acts of terrorism, and the national political and military leadership decided to take strict action against terrorists and extremists.
According to the statement, the national political and military leadership has resolved to utilize all available resources to completely eradicate terrorism.
The statement further mentioned that the committee held detailed discussions on the current national security situation and the recent wave of terrorism. The meeting also condemned any form of sympathy expressed towards extremist terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.
Additionally, emphasis was placed on implementing essential national security laws and providing full support to security institutions to counter the challenges of terrorism.
The statement highlighted that the forum stressed the need for a coordinated and systematic strategy to eliminate facilitators of terrorists. Effective action will be taken against any group supporting terrorism, while the committee recommended strict measures against those promoting terrorist narratives on social media. It was also stated that Pakistani institutions should have complete freedom in enforcing the law and addressing national security matters.
The committee stressed that all necessary measures should be taken to eliminate terrorism and that resources should be provided to enhance the performance of law enforcement agencies.
The Parliamentary Committee emphasized that no institution, individual, or group should show weakness in the fight against terrorism, and national security should be ensured through a strong and coordinated strategy.
The meeting, chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of the Parliamentary Committee.
Political leaders, the Army Chief, key defense and government officials, and senior security officials also participated in the meeting. The committee expressed regret over the absence of some opposition members but affirmed that the consultation process would continue.
The in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security has begun, with strict security measures implemented inside and around the Parliament House.
Addressing the participants, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that terrorism has become a menace for the country, and a long-term and sustainable solution must be found.
He asserted that there is no place for terrorism on Pakistan’s soil and that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not be forgotten. He reaffirmed the commitment to eradicating terrorism completely and ensuring law and order in the country.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the entire nation is united in the fight against terrorism and that it will be defeated at all costs. He added that it would have been beneficial if opposition members had also participated in this important session.
The Prime Minister praised the state’s counterterrorism operations and paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Earlier, the in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security was held under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Senior government and military officials attended, including Army Chief General Asim Munir, DG ISI Aasim Munir, DG MO, and DG IB Fawad Asad.
Other attendees included Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahsan Iqbal, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Faisal Vawda, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Jam Kamal, the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Chief Ministers, Governors, and Inspectors General of Police from all four provinces also participated in the meeting, along with 38 federal cabinet members.
Sixteen members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto, attended the session. Two members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Istehkam Pakistan Party’s Abdul Aleem Khan, National Party’s Senator Jan Muhammad, and Muslim League-Zia’s Ijaz-ul-Haq also participated.
According to sources, PTI’s National Assembly member Basheer Khan arrived at the Parliament but left shortly after. BNP Mengal’s chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal was invited but did not attend. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Mehmood Khan Achakzai were also absent.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the participants and commenced the session with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem.
Speaker’s Remarks on the Opposition’s Absence
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed disappointment over the opposition’s absence, stating, “I welcome all participants to today’s meeting. The country’s current situation demands unity and harmony.”
He added, “It is unfortunate that the opposition did not attend today’s session. We had invited them, and it would have been better if they had participated. We must work together to resolve the nation’s issues. The opposition’s behavior is against parliamentary traditions, and once again, they have disappointed the nation. The opposition leader and his party should have attended this crucial meeting.”
During the session, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and DG Military Operations briefed the committee members.
The committee was also briefed on recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials provided details on militant and terrorist activities in Balochistan.
According to sources, important evidence was presented to the participants through screens and slides. The Army Chief gave a 50-minute briefing, while the DG Military Operations briefed for 30 minutes. A 15-minute break followed the briefing.
After the break, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur addressed the committee, providing insights into the province’s internal and external security situation.