Why Imran Khan Didn’t Attend Crucial National Security Meeting?
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the briefing to lawmakers by military leadership has developed a national consensus
The treasury and opposition lawmakers vowed protection of Pakistan’s interests and pledged to prioritize it at any sacrifice as they walked out satisfied from the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Thursday during which the absence of Prime Minister Imran Khan was conspicuous.
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General (DG) Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed briefed the parliamentarians over the changing security condition in Pakistan and the imminent impact of US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The meeting was convened by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser.
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Sources told News360 that an opposition member raised the issue of the absence of Prime Minister Imran Khan from the crucial moot on national security.
Addressing it, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the premier didn’t attend the meeting as he feared that the opposition would stage a walk out.
Similarly, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also defended Imran Khan’s absence by saying that the Leader of the Opposition had conveyed the message to the speaker that he would not attend the moot if prime minister participated in it.
During the in-camera briefing, the lawmakers were apprised that Pakistan has adopted a clear policy on Afghanistan and it would welcome only the elected government there at all levels besides playing its role for the peace in the region.
The participants were apprised that Pakistan sought peace in its neighboring country and it always sincerely played a positive and responsible role for the purpose.
The officials said that exertions by Pakistan brought different Afghan militant groups and factions on one page for talks.
Besides this, the endeavors resulted in commencement of negotiations between the US and the Afghan Taliban.
The lawmakers were briefed that Pakistan’s role was acknowledged by the international community including the US itself.
The national security moot shed light on the imminent situation after the US leaves Afghanistan. The participants were told the country’s peace is commutative with the war-torn neighbor.
Therefore, Pakistan has made sincere efforts for bringing sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The parliamentarians were assured that Pakistan’s territory was not being used against Afghanistan and they seek the same from the other side of the border too.
To prevent cross-border activities, the lawmakers were told fencing of Durand Line has been finished 90% and the system of border control is also being lifted.
According to sources, the parliamentarians were assured in the briefing that Pakistan has adopted the policy of keeping itself at bay from the disputes of the global powers.
They were briefed that the incumbent government has taken major decisions regarding relations with other countries whose basis is equality.
Talking to the media after the moot, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said that the briefing to lawmakers by military leadership has developed a national consensus on national security.
