ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and heads of political parties for a high-level briefing on the prevailing regional situation, his adviser Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Sanaullah said the meeting would be held tomorrow at 11:30am to deliberate on domestic and regional security in light of Pakistan’s response to the Afghan Taliban regime’s actions along the border and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“We have come to invite opposition leaders and party heads on the instructions of the prime minister,” he said, adding that opposition leaders had been urged to present their views beyond partisan considerations.
“Opposition leaders will consult with their colleagues before taking any decisions,” he added, emphasising that no demands should be attached to the meeting.
However, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai suggested the briefing should be extended to the entire parliament instead of selected members.
“Given the dangerous regional developments, Parliament must be kept fully informed. We will provide our response by tomorrow morning after consulting with our colleagues,” he said.
The briefing comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following joint strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, with US officials stating the campaign aimed to degrade Iran’s naval and missile capabilities.
Alongside the Middle East crisis, Pakistan is also confronting cross-border militancy emanating from Afghanistan.
The Pakistan Armed Forces are continuing ground and aerial operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting Afghan Taliban elements and Fitna al-Khawarij militants allegedly involved in cross-border incursions.
Security forces launched the operation on February 27 after Afghan Taliban fighters resorted to what authorities described as unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Since then, officials claim 464 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed and over 660 injured, with 188 checkposts destroyed and 31 captured.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the prime minister would deliver an in-camera briefing to political leaders during the meeting, adding that Rana Sanaullah had been tasked with extending formal invitations to party heads.