Achakzai demands the PM invite entire parliament to in-camera security briefing

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extend an in-camera briefing on regional security to the entire Parliament, not to just a select few.

Speaking at a press conference, alongside key leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other parties, Achakzai made it clear: the security briefing, set for Wednesday (today) at 11 AM, must be shared with all members of Parliament and not a select few.

“The gravity of the situation demands transparency, and it’s essential that every Member of Parliament is brought into the fold, not just a handpicked group,” Achakzai stated, underscoring the need for a collective response to the national security challenges unfolding around Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif has invited parliamentary leaders and party heads for a closed-door discussion about critical regional developments, including the escalating threats posed by the Israel-US attacks on Iran and growing tensions with Afghanistan.

“Our position is clear,” Achakzai declared, “This is not a time for selective information-sharing. Parliament, as a whole, should be briefed. This is a matter of the security of Pakistan.”

He called for the briefing to take place in a joint session of Parliament, allowing the entire legislature to weigh in on the grave threats facing the country.

In a pointed warning, Achakzai said: “Given the dire situation in the region, it is essential that Parliament is equipped with the full picture. Only then can we make informed decisions to protect the interests of Pakistan.”

Achakzai’s demand sent ripples through the political establishment, with the opposition leader reaffirming that a final decision on how they would engage with the briefing would be communicated to the government by Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had confirmed that Prime Minister Sharif invited parliamentary leaders to discuss the most pressing issues of the day.

This, according to Tarar, would include discussions on the Israel-US attacks on Iran and the escalating border clashes with Afghanistan – topics far too critical to be confined to partisan rhetoric.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Prime Minister’s political adviser Rana Sanaullah sought to quash any rumours of partisan manoeuvring, insisting that the invitation to opposition leaders was in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment to national interest. “This is not about party politics,” he emphasised. “It is about ensuring all parties put national security above all else.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026