High-Level Meeting Stresses Unified Commitment to Combat Terrorism in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, March 18,2025- Participants in a high-level meeting on Tuesday emphasized the necessity of consensus and unified political commitment to combat terrorism in Pakistan with the “full force of the state.”

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) skipped the meeting, citing the absence of incarcerated former Prime Minister Mr Khan.

The in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security was held amid a surge in attacks on security personnel and law enforcement agencies, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. Recent incidents included the hijacking of the Jaffar Express, resulting in at least 31 deaths, a suicide blast in Noshki District that killed five, and multiple assaults on KP police.

Pakistan’s top civilian and military leaders gathered at Parliament House to discuss measures to curb terrorism. A statement issued after the meeting condemned recent terror acts, expressed solidarity with victims’ families, and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms. The committee praised the bravery and professionalism of security forces in their counter-terrorism operations.

The statement stressed the need for a national consensus to repel terrorism, emphasizing strategic and unified political commitment to confront the menace with the full might of the state. It called for the immediate implementation of the National Action Plan and Operation Azm-i-Istehkam to dismantle terrorist networks, counter logistical support, and break the nexus between terrorism and crime.

The committee also expressed concern over the increasing use of social media by terrorist groups for propaganda, recruitment, and coordination. It recommended measures to curb such activities and called for a mechanism to counter terrorists’ operations. The committee reiterated its support for Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies, acknowledging their sacrifices and commitment to national defense.

The statement added that no institution, individual, or group collaborating with hostile forces would be allowed to harm Pakistan’s peace and stability. It also regretted the absence of some opposition members and emphasized that the consultation process would continue. The declaration was unanimously passed by the committee members.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir addressed the committee, stating that no agenda, movement, or personality is greater than the country’s security. He emphasized the need for sustainable development through the harmonious functioning of all elements of national power. General Munir described the fight against terrorism as a battle for the nation’s survival and future generations, calling for better governance and the transformation of Pakistan into a “hard state.”

He questioned how long the country would continue to sacrifice lives and fill governance gaps with the blood of armed forces and martyrs. General Munir urged religious scholars to expose terrorists’ distorted interpretation of Islam and stressed the importance of a unified narrative transcending political and personal interests. He declared that Pakistan would unite to defeat terrorists and their facilitators.

The meeting was attended by members of the National Assembly’s standing committees on Defense and Foreign Affairs, federal cabinet members, chief ministers of the four provinces, and leaders of all parliamentary parties or their representatives. The in-camera session was held under strict security measures, with media personnel barred from Parliament House for the day and mobile phones prohibited inside the National Assembly Hall.

A video shared by the PPP’s official Instagram account showed Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arriving at Parliament House to attend the meeting.

The PTI had initially announced its intention to attend but sought a meeting with its jailed founder beforehand. TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai echoed this demand, stating that no meeting would hold significance without the PTI founder’s participation.

During a joint press conference at KP House in Islamabad, Achakzai, also the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief, called for representatives from all political parties to be invited to national security meetings. He was joined by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, and Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza.

Achakzai asserted that Pakistan’s dire circumstances required a joint session of parliament, with everyone given a chance to speak. He criticized the superintendent of Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for preventing PTI leaders and MNAs from meeting Imran Khan, sarcastically suggesting that Imran be declared a dangerous man if no one is allowed to meet him.

Salman Akram Raja announced that no PTI representative would attend the meeting, but KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur would participate in the high-level gathering