ISLAMABAD – The civil-military leadership convened a crucial in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Tuesday, amid escalating terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). However, the session took place without the participation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members, who opted to boycott the meeting.
The session, called by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was held in the lower house and included a detailed briefing by the military leadership on the country’s security situation.
High-Level Attendance, PTI’s Absence
The meeting was attended by PM Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Malik, chief ministers of all four provinces, and other senior officials.
However, several notable figures were absent, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, and all PTI representatives—except KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who attended in his official capacity.
Briefing on Security Threats
The military leadership provided lawmakers with a comprehensive update on the worsening security situation, particularly in the wake of the recent Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attack.
The BLA militants had blown up train tracks and held over 440 passengers hostage in a day-long standoff with security forces in the Bolan district. The military successfully conducted an operation, killing 33 militants and rescuing the hostages. However, 26 passengers were martyred, including 18 security personnel, while four additional security officials lost their lives in the counter-operation.
The discussion also focused on alarming statistics from the Global Terrorism Index 2025, which ranked Pakistan as the second-most affected country by terrorism. The report highlighted a 45% surge in terrorism-related deaths, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, alongside a doubling of terror attacks from 517 to 1,099.
PM Shehbaz Calls for National Unity
During the session, PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the critical threat posed by terrorism and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to eradicating the menace.
“We cannot forget the sacrifices of our martyrs,” the premier stated, paying tribute to fallen security personnel and civilians.
Political Boycott and Opposition’s Criticism
The session took place against the backdrop of political divisions, with PTI and its allies choosing to boycott the meeting.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed that no PTI representative would attend, citing the government’s refusal to allow a meeting between PTI leaders and party founder Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail.
Similarly, the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), also announced their boycott.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai criticized the government, stating that Pakistan is in an extremely dangerous phase and alleging that the real issue is election rigging, which had deprived PTI of its rightful victory. He insisted that any security discussions should include all political parties, including Imran Khan.
NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, however, condemned the opposition’s stance, stating that their absence from a critical security briefing was irresponsible.
Calls for Inclusive National Dialogue
Several political figures stressed the need for an inclusive approach to tackling the security crisis.
Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza noted that while his party initially sought an in-camera session, it later decided against attending. He emphasized that without Imran Khan’s involvement, any security dialogue would lack credibility.
Achakzai further called for a two-day joint session of Parliament, arguing that only a transparent, all-inclusive discussion would carry weight. He also criticized restrictions on PTI leaders’ ability to meet with their party founder and challenged the legitimacy of the current government, referring to PM Shehbaz Sharif as an “unconstitutional prime minister.”
Conclusion
The in-camera session was held at a time of escalating security challenges, particularly in Balochistan and KP, where terrorist attacks remain rampant. While the military leadership provided critical insights, political divisions and PTI’s boycott cast a shadow over efforts to forge a unified national response.
With Pakistan facing a sharp rise in terrorism, political consensus remains elusive, raising questions about the country’s ability to tackle these security threats effectively.
