Pakistan committee urges unity to fight terrorism effectively
A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) in Islamabad highlighted the urgent need to implement counterterrorism plans in Pakistan. The committee called for the immediate action on the National Action Plan (NAP) and the Vision Azm-i-Istehkam to tackle rising terrorism. Army Chief Gen Asim Munir pointed out that governance failures are a major reason for the increase in terrorist activities and urged for Pakistan to become “a hard state.” The PCNS emphasized the importance of national unity and political resolve in the fight against terrorism. It expressed concern about the growing misuse of social media by terrorist groups and called for measures to counter these digital threats. The meeting included senior leaders, military officials, and intelligence representatives and was convened after a series of recent terrorist incidents. Gen Munir stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism, which he believes goes beyond military action. He criticized the existing governance and questioned how long Pakistan would rely on army sacrifices instead of addressing these issues through effective governance. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister and other key figures, but it was boycotted by opposition members. The opposition left in protest over their request to meet jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan being denied. Gen Munir remarked that national security is more important than any political agenda. The committee underscored that cooperation among political parties is vital for combating terrorism effectively. It vowed not to let any groups or individuals undermine Pakistan's peace and stability, especially in light of increasing threats from terrorist networks. The PCNS will continue discussions on national security, despite the absence of some opposition members.