Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is ready to hold talks with all political parties to address terrorism, Adviser on Political Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday. Speaking during a Senate session, he invited political leaders to join the government in developing a joint response to the security challenge. Rana Sanaullah on terrorism talks stressed the need for collective efforts to tackle the growing threat.
Sanaullah said provincial cooperation was an important factor in addressing security concerns. He claimed that the federal government had not received the required cooperation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government during a previous period of rising terrorism. However, he said the Balochistan government was fully cooperating with the federal administration on security matters.
The adviser reiterated that the prime minister remained willing to engage with political parties on terrorism. He urged political leaders to set aside their differences and discuss the issue collectively. According to Sanaullah, a joint approach could help the country respond more effectively to security threats. He said the invitation for dialogue remained open to all political parties.
Sanaullah also raised concerns about opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s engagement with the government. He said Achakzai had assumed the position of opposition leader after the National Assembly speaker signed the relevant documents. However, Sanaullah claimed that Achakzai was reluctant to visit the speaker’s chamber. He added that he had personally urged the opposition leader to end the deadlock and meet the prime minister.
Discussing security coordination, Sanaullah said opposition representatives did not attend meetings of the apex committee. He maintained that participants could discuss sensitive matters openly during these meetings. He also referred to the recent martyrdom of an army major, highlighting the continuing security challenges faced by the country.
The adviser further criticised what he described as abusive rhetoric against state institutions during meetings. He said restrictions on meetings could be imposed under applicable rules and laws. His remarks came amid continuing political disagreements over engagement with the government and the role of opposition leaders in national security discussions.
Sanaullah also referred to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, alleging that he had sought release from prison through different channels, including the courts and US President Donald Trump. The government has continued to call for political cooperation on security issues. The prime minister’s stated willingness to hold terrorism talks places renewed focus on whether political parties can agree on a common strategy to address militancy and improve coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
