As the crisis in Afghanistan unfolds, PPP and PML-N demand a briefing from the government on the situation. The opposition wants the government to come up with a policy statement and develop a national consensus to deal with the possible consequences of the crisis for Pakistan.
“Government should brief opposition and parliamentarians on its policy on the Afghan situation,” Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said while talking to media. According to him, just a debate in the joint sitting of parliament is of no use.
Opposition leaders said they have been requesting the government for a joint session to discuss the Afghan crisis for the last two months. However, the government did not pay any attention.
As a result, the opposition took matters into their own hands. They convened meetings of their own to formulate the parties’ point of view on the Afghanistan situation.
PPP secretary-general Farhatullah Babar said PPP already convened its Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting a couple of days ago. However, due to the recent fall of Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani fleeing, PPP will again conduct a meeting today. He said the party’s formal position on the situation will come out after the CEC meeting.
Read more: A Timeline of key events in Afghanistan since 2001
Farhatullah Babar said PPP will hold a thorough and open debate on the issue in the CEC meeting. Former President Asif Ali Zardari will also attend via video link.
The Afghans didn’t deserve this fate. No one should meet this fate. In the past the resilience of Afghan people has triumphed over their misfortunes. It will triumph now also https://t.co/NrxW8Wqlam
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) August 15, 2021
As for PML-N, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the party is conducting in-house consultations over the events unfolding in Afghanistan. He said party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif was also a part of these consultations.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said according to PML-N, Pakistan should not become a party in Afghanistan’s internal issues and they should respect the verdict of the people of Afghanistan.
NSC meeting on the Afghan situation
Today PM Khan will conduct an urgent National Security Council (NSC) meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. According to reports, civil and military leadership and high-ranking officials will attend the meeting.
During the meeting, PM Khan will discuss the evolving situation in Afghanistan and possible challenges for Pakistan.
Read more: U.S. ‘really messed it up’ in Afghanistan, says PM Khan
On Sunday, Turkish President Erdogan called PM Khan to review the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (@RTErdogan) 🇹🇷 called Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI today.
The two leaders reviewed the rapidly evolving situation in #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/hyNC9OQTMe
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 15, 2021
PM Khan assured that Pakistan was extending facilitation in the evacuation of diplomatic personnel and staff of international organizations and others in Kabul, as requested.
Consequently, the two leaders will again consult after today’s NSC meeting to coordinate their efforts.
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