ISLAMABAD: The civil-military leadership is attending a crucial in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) today (Tuesday) amid rising terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The session, convened by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, being held in the lower house will feature a comprehensive briefing to the parliamentary committee on the prevailing security situation by the military leadership.

The meeting is being attended by PM Shehbaz, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Malik, chief ministers of all four provinces, and other top officials.

However, several key figures including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members are not attending the high-level huddle.

According to PM’s aide on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah, the military leadership will brief the lawmakers on the security situation.

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The high-level huddle comes days after last week’s harrowing attack by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants who blew up train tracks and held over 440 passengers hostage in a day-long standoff with security services in a remote mountain pass in the Bolan district.

The military, after clearing the train and rescuing hostages, said it killed 33 attackers. Before the operation began, terrorists had martyred 26 passengers, while four security personnel were martyred during the operation.

The martyred train passengers included 18 security personnel from the army and the FC, three officials from Pakistan Railways and other departments and five civilians.

The closed-door meeting is also to be taken in the context of alarming statistics revealed in the Global Terrorism Index 2025 report which places Pakistan as the second-most affected country by terrorism.

The country, — placed at the second spot from its previously fourth position — witnessed an alarming 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths with the total rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024 — one of the steepest surges globally.

The number of terror attacks more than doubled from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024, which also marked the first year that attacks exceeded the 1,000 mark since the inception of the Index.

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain the most heavily affected provinces — which also share a border with neighbouring Afghanistan — accounted for over 96% of terrorist attacks and deaths in Pakistan in 2024.

Speaking during the meeting, PM Shehbaz noted that terrorism had become a scourge for the country and reiterated the resolve to get rid of this menace.

Noring that they could not forget the sacrifices of the martyrs, the premier paid tribute to those who had laid down their lives for the country.

Meanwhile, NA Speaker Sadiq censured the opposition for its disappointing decision to not attend the in-camera meeting.

“The opposition leader and his party should have participated in the meeting of utmost importance,” the speaker said while terming the opposition’s behaviour contrary to the parliamentary decisions.

Political divide persists
The all-important meeting is taking place against the backdrop of prevailing political polarisation as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will skip the in-camera session.

The party had demanded the government arrange a meeting between its leaders and the PTI founder, Imran Khan, who is imprisoned at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said that the party has decided not to attend the meeting.

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He told the media that the decision was made during a political committee meeting the previous day.

Raja confirmed that no PTI representative would participate, except for KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who is in fact attending the huddle in his capacity as the province’s representative.

PTI’s decision against attending the session comes a day after multi-party opposition alliance, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai announced their decision to boycott the session.

Additionally, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas announced that their parties would not attend the meeting either.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media, TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said that Pakistan is going through an extremely dangerous phase.

Claiming that the most alarming issue was that a winning party had been made to lose in the elections, Achakzai expressed regret that those responsible for electoral fraud were the very individuals who had taken an oath to uphold the Constitution.

The politician further demanded a joint session of Parliament with a two-day meeting, where all parliamentary members should be briefed. He criticised restrictions preventing party leaders from meeting the PTI founder.

He warned that prison authorities would be held accountable, asserting that they should either declare the PTI founder a dangerous individual barred from meetings or allow access.

Achakzai further questioned how his party could accept an invitation from what he termed an “unconstitutional prime minister.”

He stressed that any meeting on national security should include representatives from all political parties, including the PTI founder, without whom such discussions would hold no significance.

He also emphasised that Jamaat-e-Islami representatives should be part of national security meetings.

Meanwhile, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza said that his party had initially demanded an in-camera session.

The names of representatives were submitted the previous day with certain conditions. However, the political committee meeting later decided against attending, Raza clarified.

The SIC head further described the PTI founder as a major leader, asserting that progress could not be made without taking him into confidence, as public support would not be secured otherwise and expressed the view that negotiations should be prioritised over military operations.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (DNA): Federal Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and Principal Information Officer (PIO) Mubashir Hasan on Tuesday congratulated the newly-elected office-bearers of the National Press Club,Islamabad.

The Information Secretary and PIO congratulated Azhar Jatoi on being elected as President, Nayyar Ali as Secretary, and Waqar Abbasi as Secretary Finance of the NPC.

Terming National Press Club an effective platform for the journalistic community in Pakistan, Ambreen Jan said it was constantly striving for freedom of the press and the rights of journalists.

She expressed the hope that the newly-elected leadership of NPC will utilize its capabilities and take effective steps for the welfare of journalists and the development of the media.

PIO Mubashir Hasan said in view of the challenges of the modern era, the promotion of independent, responsible and fact-based journalism was the need of the hour.

He hoped that the National Press Club will maintain its glorious traditions in this regard.

The Secretary and PIO assured that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was committed to continuing all possible cooperation with the National Press Club and the journalistic community.

They also hoped that the new leadership of NPC will play key role in making National Press Club more active and effective.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 18: /DNA/ – Eminent speakers at a condolence reference hosted by the Institute of Regional Studies, (IRS) to honor Professor Syed Rifaat Hussain stated that the indelible legacy of the distinguished scholar, academic, diplomat and journalist, who passed away recently will live on to inspire the youth of Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, lauded diplomatic skills and journalistic prowess of Riffat Hussain in projecting Pakistan’s narrative during challenging times. 

Amb Jalil Abbas Jilani, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, highlighted Dr. Hussain’s  pivotal role in shaping generations of  young minds and commended his contribution towards building NUST and IRS as centers of excellence in his capacity as the Dean and Member BOG respectively.

Highlighting the illustrious academic career and exemplary devotion of the deceased academic, Amb Jauhar Saleem, President IRS, underscored  that the nation needed  more intellectual icons like Prof. Riffat Hussain to keep inspiring future generations of students. He also called for celebrating the lives of  such self-effacing heroes who serve the cause of nation building selflessly and honestly.

Amb Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, former Amb to the United States, China and India, lauded Dr. Hussain as an exceptional professor and researcher “, who left an indelible intellectual legacy in multiple disciplines. 

Amb Zamir Akram, former permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, emphasized that Dr. Riffat Hussain’s  services to the nation during difficult times would always be remembered, 

Amb Sohail Mehmood, DG ISSI, noted that he lived a full life, building exceptional academic expertise upon unwavering dedication and integrity.

Prof. Nazir Hussain, former Dean of Social Sciences at QAU, read a condolence letter from the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) SriLanka,  highlighting Prof. Rifaat’s pivotal contribution as Executive Director RCSS. 

The memorial was attended by a large number of diplomats, intelligentsia, academics, journalists, researchers, and students keen to pay tribute to an exceptional academic.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 18 /DNA/ – The Turkish Department of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) today hosted a commemorative event celebrating Turkiye’s 110th Çanakkale Victory and the official adoption of the Turkish National Anthem. The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Irfan Neziroğlu, Ambassador of the Turkish Embassy in Pakistan, who served as the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were DG NUML, Brig Shahzad Munir, the Education Attache and senior embassy officials, underscoring the strong ties between the two nations.

At the outset, Ambassador Irfan Neziroğlu and Rector NUML, Maj Gen Shahid Mahmood Kayani HI(M) (retd), engaged in a bilateral discussion focused on enhancing academic and research collaborations. This high-level dialogue reaffirmed the commitment to deepening people-to-people connections and bolstering educational exchanges. The Rector expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of Turkiye and Düzce University for facilitating these academic initiatives, which are set to provide students with access to world-class learning environments and promote long-term academic cooperation.

The event featured a welcoming address by Dr. Jameel Asghar Jami, Dean of the Faculty of Languages, followed by a captivating documentary showcasing the heroic legacy of Çanakkale’s victory. Performances by both students and faculty of the Turkish Department added a dynamic cultural element to the celebration.

In his speech, Ambassador Neziroğlu also paid tribute to the historic contributions of renowned poet Allama Iqbal and highlighted the enduring bond between Pakistan and Turkiye. He reiterated that, regardless of any challenges, Turkiye will steadfastly support Pakistan on every international platform. Looking ahead, the Ambassador confirmed plans to expand the student exchange programs under the existing Memorandum of Understanding, stating, “In the near future, we will welcome many more NUMLians to our Turkish universities.” He urged the students to recognize their pivotal role in shaping not only the future of Pakistan but also the destiny of Turkiye and the broader Ummah, concluding with the powerful affirmation, “Together we stand strong.”

Pro-Rector Academics, Dr Safeer Awan, extended his gratitude to the Ambassador and his team for honouring the occasion. He emphasized the importance of remembering and cherishing national history. In his speech, Dr Awan stressed enhancing academic collaboration and excelling in the research field. In a symbolic gesture of enduring friendship and academic partnership, he presented a commemorative shield to Ambassador Neziroğlu.

Through initiatives such as this commemorative event, NUML continues to build bridges between cultures and empower students with global perspectives.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 18 (DNA): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for coordinated efforts by federal and provincial governments and all stakeholders to eradicate Hepatitis C from Pakistan, vowing to promote and expand the PM’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme countrywide.

Speaking at a recognition ceremony here, marking the successful completion of the pilot project of the PM’s National Hepatitis C Elimination Programme in Gilgit Baltistan, the prime minister emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing the widespread impact of the disease in the country.

 Acknowledging the significant support from the Aga Khan Development Network and the World Health Organization (WHO) in this initiative, he said that the hepatitis unit was initially established at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) and was later expanded to provide 100% free treatment facilities.

The prime minister expressed regret that when the new government took office in 2018, the program was discontinued. However, he said that shortly after assuming the office of Prime Minister, he resumed the program, which was now operational in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

“We see a bright future of Gilgit Baltistan and subsequently other parts of Pakistan,” he said expressing the confidence that with the efforts of the incumbent government, Hepatitis C will be completely erased from the country very soon.

“This aggressive disease is spreading. This is high time to effectively control this disease,” he said.

The prime minister told the gathering the federal government was in the process of establishing Jinnah Medical Centre in Islamabad which would prove to John Hopkins Hospital of Pakistan in public healthcare.

Earlier, he distributed shields among the contributors to the pilot project of Gilgit Baltistan including Minister for Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, NADRA Chairman, WHO Representative in Pakistan and others.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, speaking on the occasion, highlighted that Pakistan had the highest spread of Hepatitis C, calling it a matter of great concern.

He said the success of hepatitis programme manifested the model of public-private partnership and also the coordination between federal and provincial governments.

He said the government was hopeful of eliminating the disease 2029 as the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C elimination program will not only save millions of lives but also contribute to boosting the country’s economic productivity.

Minister for National Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, lauding the prime minister’s vision of eliminating Hepatitis C from the country, assured him of his full support to successfully eliminate the disease from the country by 2030.

Highlighting the significance of preventive healthcare, he said the treatment of 10 million cases was difficult.

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Pakistan Dr Lou Dapeng said the Organization will continue to stand side by side with Pakistan in supporting its programme to completely eliminate the disease.

He thanked the GB and AJK governments and their health departments for their swift action and excellent leadership in the pilot program.

He said that screening of 14000 people across two union councils was a commendable achievement and assured of WHO’s technical and operational support.

Member Task Force of PM’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, Dr Saeed Akhtar informed that Rs 68 billion were committed for the programme which will be completed in two phases.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Minister of State Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath were also present on the occasion.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, MAR 18 /DNA/ – Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, provided an insightful briefing on the various pictures displayed during the Canakkale Victory and Martyrs’ Day event, commemorating the 104th anniversary of the acceptance of Türkiye’s National Anthem.

The exhibition highlighted historical moments, sacrifices, and national pride, highlighting the significance of the Turkish national anthem in shaping the country’s identity. The ambassador emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made for Türkiye’s independence and sovereignty.

The event served as a reminder of the enduring resilience and patriotism of the Turkish people, strengthening the historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.=DNA

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TEHRAN, Mar 18 (DNA): The famous Azadi Tower of Tehran was illuminated with the green and white colours of the Pakistani flag ahead of Pakistan Day to be celebrated on March 23.

Ambassador of Pakistan in Tehran Mudassir Tipu witnessed the video mapping at the landmark, locally known as Burj Azadi.

The flags of Pakistan and Iran were displayed and the national anthems of both countries were played followed by the traditional music representing federating units of Pakistan and displaying the country’s landscapes.

The colorful event was witnessed by a large number of Pakistan diaspora, students and media representative.

Ambassador Muhammad Mudassir Tipu welcomed the guests and highlighted the historical significance of Pakistan National Day. He thanked the Government of Iran for extending facilitation to celebrate this day.

He said that Pakistan was a cradle of ancient civilizations like Harappa, Moenjodaro and Indus Valley civilizations and Mehrgarh which should be linked through cultural activities and tourism promotion.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 17 (APP/DNA): Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bangladesh, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain to discuss on advancing shared goals and strengthening bilateral ties.

On the sidelines of the 353rd Governing Body session of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a meeting was held between Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain, said a press release issued here on Monday.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Workers Welfare Fund Zulfiqar Ahmed and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva Bilal Ahmad and senior officials from both sides.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain emphasized the deep historical, cultural, and faith-based connections between Pakistan and Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of building on this foundation to foster closer relations. Both sides reiterated the need for enhanced high-level engagements and institutional cooperation to establish mutual trust and collaboration.

Key areas of discussion included expanding economic, trade, and investment linkages, fostering people-to-people ties through cultural and academic exchanges, and promoting parliamentary and institutional interactions. Both delegations recognized the potential for collaboration in labor rights, skills development, and workforce mobility as a means of driving economic growth.

The meeting also underscored the importance of coordination on key regional and global issues at multilateral forums. Both parties agreed that renewed efforts to strengthen this partnership would contribute to greater regional stability and prosperity.