PM Shehbaz invites parliamentary leaders for in-camera briefing on Middle East crisis

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and party heads to an in-camera briefing tomorrow to discuss the escalating regional tensions, particularly following the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, it emerged on Tuesday.

Last week, the United States and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran that pushed the Middle East into renewed military confrontation as its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in the strikes. In response, Iran targeted Israel and US bases in the Middle East.

Speaking to the media today, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the leadership of all political parties was invited for a briefing on national and regional security.

"We have relations with Iran, and on the other hand, we also have a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia. In this matter, politics should be set aside. Tomorrow, the prime minister will provide an in-camera briefing to all political leadership," Tarar said.

Read More: PM Shehbaz urges de-escalation and dialogue on Middle East crisis

He added that Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah would extend the invitations to the political leadership and the meeting would be held tomorrow at 11am.

According to the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, Tarar said the same during today's National Assembly session, adding that the current global situation would be discussed as well.

The report said the House began with a discussion on the regional situation, with a focus on the attack on Iran and the loss of its revered leader. It added that lawmakers from various parties condemned the assault and paid tribute to Khamenei.

They also expressed solidarity with the people of Iran.

Several parliamentarians, including Aniqa Mehdi, Abdul Qadir Patel, Hameed Hussain, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Sehar Kamran, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Syeda Shehla Raza, spoke out in support of unity among Muslim countries to face common challenges.

"We must forge unity within the Ummah to confront the mounting threats," Fazl said.

Ahead of an in-camera meeting, Prime Minister's adviser on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, met Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, where discussions focused on the upcoming briefing and the current political landscape.

Sanaullah confirmed that he had come to extend an invitation to the opposition leader for participation in the in-camera session.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, speaking at the meeting, emphasised the need for hope and unity. "We must remain hopeful and bring the political leadership together on national matters," he said.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan arrived at the opposition chamber and spoke with the media, highlighting the rapidly changing global security situation.

"Pakistan is a nuclear state, and it is essential for the opposition to play a responsible role," he said. Gohar further stressed that it is the opposition’s duty to bring the concerns and sentiments of the public to the government’s attention.

Clarifying the party’s stance, Gohar remarked that the founder of PTI had issued clear instructions, empowering Achakzai with decision-making authority both inside and outside the parliament.

When questioned about attending the in-camera meeting, Gohar stated that no final decision had been made, and consultations are ongoing.

Middle East crisis

The killing of Khamenei has opened a new chapter of escalation and instability in the Middle East. In the wake of the recent crisis, Pakistan has been consistently urging de-escalation. A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan was closely monitoring the regional situation and working to reduce tensions through diplomatic efforts.

Briefing ambassadors from several countries, FM Dar said Pakistan was engaging with regional partners amid what he described as a "fragile and sensitive situation".

He added that Pakistan was closely monitoring developments in Iran, with all efforts focused on easing tensions, calling the situation “extremely delicate”.

Separately, an attack by two drones earlier today on the US embassy in Riyadh sparked a small fire, a Saudi defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, while Iran pressed on with retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

The Saudi defence ministry said it had intercepted more than half a dozen drones near the capital Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj.

"Eight drones were intercepted and destroyed near the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj," said defence ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki on X.

Also Read: US and Israel must end military action, says Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson

US CENTCOM said in a post on X that American forces have destroyed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities, air defences, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.