PM chairs high-level security meeting amid escalating regional tensions

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the country’s security situation in light of escalating regional tensions involving the United States, Iran and Israel.

Asim Munir, federal ministers and senior civil and military officials attended the meeting, where participants conducted a detailed assessment of recent developments, including cross-border incidents between Pakistan and Afghanistan and broader regional tensions.

Officials noted that South Asia is witnessing heightened instability following Iran’s retaliatory actions, referred to as “Operation Wa’d-e-Sadiq Four,” in response to joint US-Israel attacks named “Operation Epic Fury”.

Discussions focused on Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace, alongside a review of ongoing border security measures, including “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The meeting also included briefings on internal security arrangements at sensitive locations across the country. Authorities reviewed plans for the safe evacuation of Pakistani citizens from Iran, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining efforts to facilitate evacuations via Azerbaijan.

Earlier, the prime minister expressed solidarity with the people of Iran, saying the government and people of Pakistan share their grief in this difficult time. In a statement posted on X, he extended condolences over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and voiced concern over what he described as violations of international law amid the US-Israel attacks on Iran.

He said Pakistan prays for the departed soul and asked for strength and patience for the Iranian people to bear the loss.

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Separately, the prime minister postponed his official visit to Russia scheduled for the upcoming week due to the prevailing internal and regional situation. A statement shared on the Government of Pakistan’s X handle said the visit holds significant importance for advancing bilateral relations but has been deferred in view of recent tense circumstances.

“The new date of the visit will be announced later after mutual consultation,” the statement added.