ISLAMABAD: In an effort to bolster national unity and reaffirm Pakistan’s role as a regional stabiliser, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for national unity and solidarity, stressing that reducing tensions between Iran and Gulf countries is Pakistan’s foremost diplomatic priority.Speaking during an in-camera briefing with parliamentary leaders and heads of different political parties, PM Sharif outlined Pakistan’s efforts to mediate regional conflicts and bolster peace in the Middle East, a region central to Pakistan’s security and foreign policy interests.Prime Minister Shehbaz gave a comprehensive briefing on the current geopolitical situation, outlining Pakistan’s strategic response to pressing international challenges, particularly developments surrounding Afghanistan, the Israeli-US attack on Iran, and Pakistan’s pivotal role in diplomatic efforts for regional peace.READ MORE: ‘Create space for dialogue’: PM Shehbaz Sharif urges restraint amid regional crisisThe briefing, which was attended by key leaders from both the ruling coalition and opposition parties, except PTI, sought to update political leadership on the security situation in Pakistan and the broader region. It included detailed discussions about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to mediate and resolve tensions in the Gulf and its ongoing engagement with Middle Eastern countries.PM Sharif also shared insights into his recent talks with regional leaders, underscoring Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach in times of escalating regional volatility. According to sources, the political leadership expressed unanimous support for Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives in the region and underscored the need for national unity at this critical juncture.The participants called for intensifying diplomatic efforts and stressed the need for a unified approach to both foreign policy and national security concerns.The session provided an opportunity for open exchanges of ideas, with the Prime Minister receiving suggestions for Pakistan’s future diplomatic strategy.In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was noted that leaders from various political factions expressed appreciation for PM Sharif’s initiative in convening the briefing.They welcomed the opportunity to discuss Pakistan’s position in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and reiterated their collective commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country.Furthermore, all participants expressed support for the prime minister’s push for greater political cohesion in the interest of Pakistan’s national security. Despite the broad political support for Pm Sharif’s initiative, not all political factions were represented at the meeting. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opted to skip the briefing. Neither the opposition leader in National Assembly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, nor the opposition leader in Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, nor anyone from the PTI, attended the briefing and instead demanded an in-camera briefing to a joint sitting of parliament.The government informed participants that both opposition leaders and the PTI leadership had been invited to the meeting, but their absence remained a contentious issue.Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F), according to sources, voiced concerns during the meeting about the exclusion of PTI and other opposition leaders.Rehman proposed that the government extend the briefing to include all political parties to ensure broader consensus on key national issues, particularly regarding Pakistan’s foreign relations with Iran, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.“Dialogue is the key to resolving tensions in Afghanistan and with our neighbours,” Rehman remarked, advocating for a stronger emphasis on diplomacy with both regional powers and neighbouring countries.He also called for the re-engagement of opposition parties to enhance the credibility of Pakistan’s foreign policy stance.In his remarks, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), reinforced the need for a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy that carefully navigates Pakistan’s relationships with both its traditional allies and its regional adversaries.He highlighted the need for maintaining neutrality while pursuing peace and stability in the Middle East, calling for Pakistan to be a mediator rather than a partisan player in the regional conflicts.As the meeting concluded, the political leadership reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism from Pakistan’s soil.Participants expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Sharif for taking the initiative to include all political leaders in the decision-making process, and underscored the importance of political cooperation during this volatile period.The briefing also featured contributions from several senior government officials, including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who jointly briefed the leaders on Pakistan’s diplomatic positioning in the face of an evolving international situation. Attendees included key members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), along with representatives from various opposition factions, including the PPP, PML-N, JUI-F, MQM-P, BAP, PML-Q, NP, ANP, TIP, etc.Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
