An in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security commenced at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Tuesday, as leaders and representatives from various political parties gathered to address pressing national security issues. The meeting was convened at the behest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, under the leadership of Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The session, which aims to address Pakistan’s increasing security challenges, has seen active participation from parliamentary leaders of all major political parties, along with their designated representatives and several cabinet members. This in-camera meeting is a key initiative to ensure that sensitive security discussions take place in a secure and confidential setting.
The agenda of the meeting includes a critical briefing from military leadership on the current security landscape in Pakistan. Sources have confirmed that the military will provide detailed insights into the state of national security, with particular emphasis on the recent upsurge in terrorist activities, such as the attack on the Jaffar Express train.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had initially shown reservations about participating in the meeting, with party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other senior leaders debating the decision. Junaid Akbar, a prominent figure in PTI, suggested the possibility of consulting with Imran Khan, the jailed founding chairman of the party, before making a final decision. Despite this internal deliberation, the PTI core committee ultimately decided to attend the meeting, recognizing the importance of national security concerns. However, in a surprising turn of events, the PTI announced it would not attend the meeting at the last minute, even though they had previously submitted a list of 14 representatives to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. This included prominent party figures such as Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, and Zartaj Gul.
The decision to exclude the PTI from the meeting highlights the volatile political situation in Pakistan, with tensions between opposition parties and the ruling government. Nevertheless, the meeting’s primary focus remains on national security and how best to address the threats posed by terrorist groups operating within the region.
This meeting takes place in the wake of several high-profile attacks, the most recent being the bombing of a railway track and the subsequent hostage-taking incident involving the Jaffar Express. In this attack, terrorists blew up the tracks and seized control of the train, holding dozens of innocent passengers hostage while engaging in a firefight with security forces attempting a rescue operation. Reports indicate that suicide bombers were positioned near hostages, using them as human shields. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a designated terrorist group, later claimed responsibility for the attack.
In response to these escalating threats, strict security measures have been implemented by the National Assembly Secretariat for the duration of the meeting. Unauthorised access to the Parliament building has been prohibited, with all entry cards, including those issued to the media, declared invalid. Furthermore, a complete ban on recording devices, videography, and photography has been enforced within the parliamentary premises during the meeting.
The National Assembly’s spokesperson stressed the importance of media cooperation in safeguarding national security, urging journalists and other stakeholders to respect the confidentiality of the proceedings. While acknowledging the crucial role of the media in informing the public, the spokesperson emphasized that the country’s security must take precedence in such sensitive discussions.
The meeting follows a series of deadly attacks in recent weeks, which have raised alarm about the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan. As the parliamentary leadership, military officials, and political parties converge on this critical discussion, the outcome of the meeting may have significant implications for Pakistan’s future approach to combating terrorism and improving internal security. With the country grappling with both political instability and mounting security challenges, this session represents a pivotal moment in efforts to strengthen the nation’s defense and security infrastructure.
Moving forward, it is expected that the outcomes of this meeting will shape national policy and contribute to a more coordinated and comprehensive strategy for addressing terrorism and ensuring the safety of citizens across the country.