Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) has called for the immediate implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and Azm-i-Istehkam strategy to counter the escalating terrorist threats in Pakistan, as Army Chief Gen Asim Munir underscored governance failures as a key factor behind the rising militancy.
In a communique issued after the meeting, the PCNS stressed the need for dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting logistical support, and eliminating the terrorism-crime nexus. The committee also called for national unity and political resolve, urging all stakeholders to adopt a unified stance against terrorism.
The high-level huddle, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior political leaders, military officials, and intelligence representatives, was convened in response to the worsening security situation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express further underscored the urgency of the discussion.
Gen Munir, in his address, stressed the need for a holistic counterterrorism approach beyond military operations. “For sustainable stability, all elements of national power must work in harmony. This is a war for our survival and that of our future generations,” he asserted. However, he warned that Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts were being undermined by governance failures.
“How long will we continue to fill governance gaps with the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and the blood of martyrs?” he questioned. “We need better governance to make Pakistan a hard state. How long will we continue to sacrifice countless lives under the model of a soft state?”
Pakistan’s counterterrorism frameworks have evolved significantly over the years, beginning with NAP in 2014 after the Army Public School attack. The plan was later revised in 2021 in response to changing regional dynamics following the withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan. Building on NAP, Operation Azm-i-Istehkam was launched in June 2024 under the current administration amid growing security threats.
Despite these measures, the military has repeatedly pointed to civilian government failures in fully implementing counterterrorism policies. Notably, neither the PCNS communique nor the army chief’s remarks—as conveyed by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)—mentioned the role of the Afghan Taliban in sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Afghanistan, even though recent official narratives have blamed Kabul for the surge in terrorism.
The committee also raised concerns over the increasing misuse of social media by terrorist groups, calling for a comprehensive framework to combat online propaganda, recruitment, and attack coordination by militant networks.
A significant development during the meeting was the boycott by PTI and its allied lawmakers from Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan, who demanded permission to meet their jailed founder, Imran Khan. Their request was denied, leading to their absence from the session.
Reacting to the opposition’s boycott, Gen Munir issued a veiled rebuke, stating: “There is no agenda greater than the security of the country—no movement, no individual. If this country exists, then we exist. Therefore, nothing is more important to us than the security of the country.”
Despite the absence of opposition members, the military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to national security and warned against those attempting to destabilize Pakistan. “Those who think they can weaken Pakistan through these terrorists should take today’s message: We stand united and will not only defeat them but also their facilitators,” Gen Munir declared.
The PCNS echoed this stance, reaffirming that no institution, individual, or group colluding with enemy forces would be allowed to threaten Pakistan’s peace and stability. The committee also expressed regret over the opposition’s absence but reiterated that consultations on national security matters would continue.
