The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced its decision to boycott the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting scheduled for today. The party has made its participation conditional on a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, stating that without this assurance, they will not attend the high-level security briefing.
PTI’s Last-Minute Decision to Boycott the NSC Meeting
A statement released late last night following a PTI political committee meeting confirmed the party’s stance. According to PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, an emergency meeting of the party’s political committee was convened to discuss participation in the NSC meeting.
During the meeting, senior party members expressed strong reservations, demanding an opportunity to meet Imran Khan before attending the national security session. Sheikh Waqas Akram also affirmed that he would not attend the meeting unless he was granted permission to meet the PTI founder.
Objections Over Nominated Representatives
Sources within PTI reveal that most members of the core committee opposed the names submitted for representation at the National Security Committee meeting. The party’s internal dispute surfaced when some leaders objected that Aamir Dogar’s nomination was made without consultation with the political and core committees.
It should be noted that prior to the controversy, Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq and Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry had contacted PTI, requesting them to provide names for the security briefing. In response, PTI had submitted the following names:
- Barrister Gohar
- Asad Qaiser
- Zartaj Gul
- Aamir Dogar
- Ali Muhammad Khan
- Barrister Ali Zafar
- Hamid Raza
However, concerns were raised within PTI’s senior leadership regarding the lack of internal party consultation before finalizing the list.
PTI’s Conditional Demand for a Meeting with Imran Khan
On Monday, PTI’s Chief Whip Aamir Dogar met with Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, where he emphasized the party’s demand to meet with Imran Khan before the National Security Committee meeting.
Aamir Dogar insisted that a three-member parliamentary delegation should be allowed to visit Imran Khan to seek his guidance and instructions regarding the security session. He further stated that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and federal ministers assured him that they would take the matter up with the relevant authorities.
Despite these assurances, PTI leadership held an emergency meeting later that night, where they ultimately decided to withdraw from the meeting until their demand was met.
National Security Committee Meeting Scheduled for Today
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on National Security is set to hold an in-camera session today at 11 AM. During this meeting, military leadership will brief parliamentarians on the current security situation in the country.
The National Assembly spokesperson confirmed that the meeting will take place in the National Assembly Hall, where representatives from all parliamentary parties, along with relevant cabinet members, will participate.
PTI’s U-Turn on Attending the NSC Meeting
Initially, PTI had agreed to attend the National Security Committee meeting. However, following the political committee’s emergency session, the party reversed its decision, citing the lack of access to Imran Khan as the main reason for boycotting the event.
Opposition Alliance Also to Skip NSC Meeting
In another development, the opposition alliance, Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ain Pakistan, has also decided not to attend the National Security Committee meeting. While the reasons for their absence remain unclear, their decision further complicates the political landscape amid the ongoing security discussions.
What This Means for Pakistan’s Political Landscape
The PTI boycott of the National Security Committee meeting highlights the deepening political divide in the country. By making their participation conditional on meeting Imran Khan, PTI is asserting its stance that their leader must be consulted before any major policy decisions.
The government’s response to this demand remains to be seen. If PTI’s request is denied, it could further escalate political tensions, especially regarding the party’s role in national decision-making.
With Pakistan facing key security challenges, the absence of PTI and other opposition parties from such a crucial meeting raises concerns over political unity at a time when the country needs a collaborative approach to tackle security issues.
What’s Next for PTI and the NSC?
As the National Security Committee meeting progresses, all eyes will be on whether the government accommodates PTI’s demand to meet Imran Khan. If PTI continues its boycott stance, it could impact their political positioning and influence within the national security framework.
The coming days will determine whether PTI re-engages with the government on critical national issues or continues its stand-off over leadership consultation.
