Pakistan calls key parliamentary meeting on rising terrorism, security crisis

The Pakistani government has called a high-level parliamentary meeting to address the country’s growing security concerns, including rising terrorism, the situation in Balochistan, and the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express train.

The Parliamentary National Security Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Parliament House. National Assembly spokesperson Zafar Sultan said Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq convened the meeting on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Military leadership to brief lawmakers

The meeting will be held in camera, where top military officials will brief lawmakers on the latest security situation. They will provide an analysis of recent terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and discuss the measures taken to counter the growing threat.

Lawmakers will have the opportunity to question security officials regarding ongoing operations and the government’s strategy.

Parliamentary leaders from all political parties and their nominated representatives will attend the session, alongside key cabinet members. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Shehbaz and his cabinet will take lawmakers into confidence on the overall security situation and discuss future counterterrorism measures.

Focus on National Action Plan

One of the key topics will be the review of the National Action Plan (NAP), a framework introduced in 2014 to combat terrorism.

According to sources, the committee will assess the effectiveness of existing measures and discuss potential updates. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal for a second phase of the NAP, known as "National Action Plan II," will also be examined.

The committee is expected to approve a future strategy, including a renewed focus on intelligence-based operations, border security, and counter-extremism policies. There will also be discussions on accelerating operations against terrorist groups based on parliamentary recommendations.

APC under consideration

Shehbaz is likely to consult lawmakers on the possibility of convening an All Parties Conference (APC) to build a broader political consensus on national security. The government aims to unite all political forces in the fight against terrorism and seek input on long-term counterterrorism policies.

Balochistan security and train hijacking incident

The security situation in Balochistan will be a major point of discussion, particularly in light of recent attacks targeting security forces and civilians. Lawmakers will be briefed on intelligence reports regarding militant activities in the region and efforts to dismantle terrorist networks.

Additionally, the meeting will review the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, which underscored security vulnerabilities in the country’s transport sector. Authorities are expected to discuss steps to enhance security measures for railway networks and other public infrastructure.

The government has reiterated its resolve to combat terrorism and maintain stability. In recent months, Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks, particularly in the northwestern and southwestern regions. The military has launched multiple operations to neutralize threats, but challenges remain.

The outcome of Tuesday’s meeting will play a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s counterterrorism policies and determining the next steps in addressing security challenges.