Civil-Military Leadership
ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security held a crucial in-camera meeting on Tuesday, resolving to take strict action against terrorist groups with an “iron hand.” The session was convened by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the country faces escalating security threats, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by the prime minister, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Malik, the chief ministers of all four provinces, and other senior officials. However, several key figures, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, and members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), chose to skip the session.
During the meeting, the military leadership provided a detailed briefing on the security situation across the country. The session strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families. The participants underscored the importance of a unified political commitment to eradicating terrorism and praised the bravery of the security forces.
The session emphasized the urgent need for strategic and coordinated efforts to counter terrorism using the full power of the state. It also called for the immediate implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and the operationalization of Azm-e-Istehkam, a strategy designed to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistical support, and eliminate the connection between terrorism and organized crime.
A major concern raised during the session was the increasing use of social media by terrorist groups to spread anti-state propaganda and recruit individuals. The committee stressed the necessity of developing an effective mechanism to counter digital terrorism and monitor online networks promoting extremist ideologies.
The participants reiterated their unwavering support for Pakistan’s armed forces, police, Frontier Constabulary (FC), and intelligence agencies in the fight against terrorism. The statement released after the meeting emphasized that the entire nation stands with the security forces and remains committed to protecting the country’s peace and stability. The committee further resolved that no individual, institution, or group collaborating with hostile elements would be allowed to destabilize Pakistan.
Despite the high-level nature of the security briefing, political divisions were evident, with several opposition members choosing to boycott the session. PTI refused to attend, insisting that the government arrange a meeting between its leadership and PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed in a press conference that the decision was made after internal party discussions. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attended in his official capacity as the province’s representative.
Other political parties also declined to participate. The Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, along with the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), boycotted the session. Achakzai criticized the government, stating that Pakistan was in a precarious situation and arguing that any national security discussion should include all political representatives, particularly Imran Khan. He also called for a joint session of Parliament that would allow all lawmakers to be briefed in detail.
The meeting took place shortly after a devastating attack by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on a train in the Bolan district. Militants blew up railway tracks and held more than 440 passengers hostage during a day-long standoff with security forces.
The military successfully cleared the train and rescued hostages, killing 33 attackers. However, before the operation was completed, terrorists had already killed 26 passengers, while four security personnel were also martyred. Among the victims were 18 security officers from the army and FC, three officials from Pakistan Railways and other departments, and five civilians.
The session also coincided with the alarming findings of the Global Terrorism Index 2025 report, which ranked Pakistan as the second-most affected country by terrorism. Previously ranked fourth, Pakistan saw a 45% surge in terrorism-related deaths, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. This increase marked one of the steepest rises in terrorist activity worldwide. The number of attacks also doubled from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024, making it the first time Pakistan surpassed 1,000 attacks since the inception of the index.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most heavily affected provinces, accounting for more than 96% of all terrorist attacks and fatalities in 2024. Both regions share borders with Afghanistan, and security officials have repeatedly pointed to cross-border threats as a significant challenge.
The absence of major opposition parties from the meeting highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing political divisions. TTAP leader Achakzai condemned the electoral process, claiming that election fraud had deprived PTI of its victory. He further argued that the authorities preventing party leaders from meeting Imran Khan should be held accountable.
Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza also criticized the government, stating that meaningful political progress could not be achieved without engaging PTI and its leadership. He urged the government to prioritize negotiations over military operations in dealing with security concerns.
Despite these political rifts, the security briefing reaffirmed the state’s commitment to taking decisive action against terrorism. Plans for a nationwide counterterrorism operation were reportedly discussed, with a focus on neutralizing threats posed by groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other militant organizations operating in the country.
The government is also considering convening a Multi-Party Conference (MPC) to further discuss security challenges, hoping to bring all political stakeholders on board. Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Ahsan Afzal expressed optimism that broader political engagement would help in formulating a comprehensive national security strategy.
As Pakistan faces an increasingly volatile security environment, the success of these counterterrorism efforts will largely depend on political unity, intelligence cooperation, and the effective execution of security operations across the country.
