Shehbaz Sharif has convened a high-level meeting of parliamentary leaders and heads of political parties to brief them on the evolving regional security landscape, his adviser Rana Sanaullah announced on Tuesday.
Addressing reporters in Islamabad, Sanaullah said the session will take place on Wednesday at 11:30am and will focus on both domestic and regional security challenges. The briefing comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and escalating instability in the Middle East.
Sanaullah stated that opposition leaders were being formally invited at the prime minister’s direction and urged all participants to approach the meeting in a spirit of national unity rather than partisan interest. He underscored that no preconditions should be attached to attendance, adding that opposition figures would consult within their parties before confirming their participation.
National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, however, proposed that the briefing be broadened to include the entire Parliament rather than a select group of leaders. Citing the gravity of current regional developments, he maintained that lawmakers should be comprehensively informed. He indicated that a final decision from the opposition would be conveyed after internal consultations.
The planned briefing coincides with a sharp escalation in the Middle East following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. The joint military action, launched on February 28, was described by US officials as targeting Tehran’s naval and missile infrastructure.
At the same time, Pakistan continues to confront cross-border militancy emanating from Afghanistan. The Pakistan Armed Forces are conducting ground and aerial operations under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against Afghan Taliban elements and militants identified as Fitna al-Khawarij, accused of involvement in recent incursions.
The operation was initiated on February 27 after Afghan Taliban fighters allegedly opened unprovoked fire along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. According to official figures, hundreds of militants have been killed or wounded in the ensuing engagements, with multiple Taliban checkposts destroyed or captured.
Separately, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar confirmed that the prime minister will deliver an in-camera briefing to political leaders during the meeting. He added that Sanaullah has been assigned responsibility for formally extending invitations to party heads.
