The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has decided to abstain from the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting scheduled for today, citing the party’s exclusion from key discussions as a major concern.
Senior PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja and Omar Ayub have made their participation conditional on being allowed to meet the party’s founder, Imran Khan, who remains in detention.
However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will be attending the high-level session.
Raja says any discussion without PTI is futile
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja emphasized that no meaningful discussion on national security could take place without PTI’s participation.
"Any discussion without PTI is futile. We represent a significant portion of the country's political spectrum, and excluding us from key decisions weakens the democratic process," he stated.
Raja further claimed that there were reports indicating that today’s meeting might deliberate on potential military action in Afghanistan. "We have learned that a decision may be made to conduct operations in a brotherly Islamic country. PTI will not support any such action. Pakistan must prioritize diplomatic engagement and regional stability over unilateral decisions," he asserted.
Omar Ayub says terrorism can't be eliminated through isolated decisions
Echoing similar sentiments, Omar Ayub also expressed reservations about the meeting, highlighting the importance of a broad-based political dialogue to address security concerns. "Terrorism cannot be eliminated through isolated decisions taken behind closed doors. We believe the solution lies in a grand national dialogue, not military intervention," Ayub stated.
Despite PTI’s broader boycott, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is set to attend the meeting, arguing that his role as the provincial chief executive requires him to stay informed about national security developments. "As the representative of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has been directly impacted by terrorism, it is my duty to attend and understand the government’s security strategy," Gandapur remarked.
The meeting, convened by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is expected to provide a comprehensive briefing on the security situation in Balochistan and KP. The military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, will update parliamentary members on recent terror incidents and potential countermeasures.
The government is also reportedly considering a large-scale operation against banned militant outfits operating in Balochistan. A high-ranking official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that discussions would include possible security measures to curb the increasing number of attacks in the region.
Meanwhile, the PTI leadership has reiterated its demand for a jirga (tribal assembly) to be called to discuss Pakistan’s security challenges. "Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms have played a crucial role in our history. A jirga can help facilitate dialogue and ensure a more sustainable peace," Salman Akram Raja suggested
