Pakistan's civil-military leadership convened a significant consultative meeting on Friday to address the ongoing tensions with Iran, marking an effort to mend strained relations after military strikes in each other's territories. The National Security Council (NSC) meeting, presided over by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, included services chiefs, cabinet ministers, and other officials.
Sources indicate that the NSC meeting is centered on discussions about the recent military actions between Pakistan and Iran. Defence and foreign ministry officials are expected to provide briefings on the Iranian attack and Pakistan's armed forces' response. The NSC is likely to formulate guidelines for future relations with Iran during the meeting.
Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar, who returned hastily from the World Economic Forum event in Davos, where he was in attendance, is taking charge of the discussions following military strikes between the two nations.
The recent developments involve Pakistan conducting "precision military strikes" against alleged "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province, resulting in nine casualties. This move was perceived as a response to Iranian missile and drone attacks on Tuesday, targeting bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan's Balochistan province.
Prior to the NSC meeting, Foreign Ministers of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani and Iran's counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian engaged in a telephone conversation. They expressed a commitment to the spirit of "mutual trust and cooperation" and acknowledged the need for closer collaboration on security matters.
Following the NSC meeting, a federal cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister is expected to take place, further addressing the evolving situation between Pakistan and Iran.
(With Agency Inputs)
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