Responding to opposition criticism, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar announced on Sunday that the government would arrange an in-camera briefing in the National Assembly for lawmakers on security issues, including Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
Addressing the National Assembly, Tarar pointed out that while former Prime Minister Imran Khan had not attended previous in-camera security briefings, current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet would be present at the upcoming session. He emphasized the government’s intent to take all political parties into confidence on the country’s security matters.
Tarar highlighted that in the past, the prime minister had refused to collaborate with the opposition. In contrast, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aims to work together with all political parties on security issues. He stressed that the resolutions and legislation presented in Parliament are crucial for national security and defense, which concerns not just the government but the entire nation.
The minister also underscored the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the parliamentary house, a responsibility that all stakeholders share. The government’s approach is to include all political parties in the decision-making process.
This announcement followed a meeting of the Central Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister endorsed a renewed national counterterrorism campaign through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, with the consensus of all stakeholders, including the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative symbolizes the national resolve to eliminate extremism and terrorism.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan insisted that Parliament must be taken into confidence for any operation, whether intelligence-based or full-fledged. Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Gohar claimed that PTI lawmakers were denied the opportunity to speak, leading them to stage a walkout in protest. He argued that no committee, regardless of its power, could supersede Parliament and that plans for Operation Azm-e-Istehkam should be approved by the apex committee in accordance with established rules.
PTI leader Asad Qaiser echoed this demand, asserting that any decisions regarding the operation should be presented to Parliament, and the legislature must be taken into confidence.
