Pakistan briefs politicians on India tensions as Khan’s party boycotts session

Pakistan’s government and military held a closed-door security briefing Sunday night with leaders of the ruling coalition and other parties amid rising tensions with India. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), however, boycotted the meeting.

The in-camera session took place at the state broadcaster PTV’s headquarters in Islamabad. It was led by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

Officials briefed political leaders on the national security situation following what Islamabad says was a false flag operation by India in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir.

The military presented details on recent Indian military movements, potential threats, and Pakistan’s defensive readiness. “Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants regional stability,” General Sharif said, according to sources. “But if India imposes war, our forces are fully prepared to give a befitting reply.”

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar explained the government’s diplomatic efforts and outlined Pakistan’s position at the international level. Leaders were also briefed on the state’s coordinated defense strategy.

PID

The meeting was attended by senior members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan People’s Party, MQM, JUI-F, Balochistan Awami Party, and other allies. Participants included former KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, PPP's Qamar Zaman Kaira, and MQM’s Mustafa Kamal, among others.

Those in attendance expressed full confidence in the armed forces and assured support for the military in the event of Indian aggression. “All political parties stand united with the armed forces,” attendees said in a joint message of solidarity.

No briefing minus Khan

PTI, the country’s main opposition party, refused to attend. In a separate statement issued Sunday, the party said it would not join any security consultation that excluded its jailed leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“PTI does not consider it necessary to participate in any such briefing as a national leader like Imran Khan was not included in the consultation,” PTI spokesperson Waqas Akram Sheikh said.

Tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for supporting the attackers, a charge Pakistan strongly denies.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir since partition in 1947. Armed groups have waged a separatist insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, with tens of thousands of people killed.