Prime Minister Shahbaz is presiding over the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting at the moment. Senior civil and military leadership attends the NSC, which serves as the main decision-making body for issues of national security.
After a brief break, the two-hour meeting was resumed to talk about urgent security concerns and heightened political tensions between the government and its opposition parties, primarily the PTI.
If elections are held in Punjab on May 14 as mandated by the Supreme Court, the government intends to ask the top brass for a briefing on potential militant threats, according to insiders cited in Dawn’s report.
Due to the current security situation in the nation and on the borders, the Pakistan Army informed the Election Commission of Pakistan last month that its troops would not be available for poll-related duties.
The ECP statement revealed that the army attached significance to its primary duties, in which securing the borders and the country is its top priority.
Therefore, at this time, the army is not available for election duty. In a thorough briefing to the government, military officials claim that terrorist groups have regrouped in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, making the environment unsuitable for electioneering.
According to sources, the meeting may discuss the possibility of “declaring an emergency” in the nation due to the current situation.
According to Article 232 of the Constitution, which deals with the declaration of an emergency due to war and internal unrest, the emergency can be declared for a maximum of one year. To declare the emergency, though, a parliamentary resolution is required.
The last NSC meeting held in January this year reiterated the government’s commitment to having “zero tolerance” for terrorism in the country.
Shireen Mazari, the leader of the PTI, commented on the NSC meeting and said that it would be crucial in determining the future course of action for the nation’s security.
She expressed worry that the PDM’s fear of elections might cause the state to turn against the country. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen, she added.
Moreover, the NSC meeting highlights the country’s significant security challenges, with the possibility of an emergency declaration looming.
The outcomes of the meeting will have a big impact on how secure and stable the nation will be in the future.
