Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today (Monday) to deliberate on Pakistan’s preparedness after the United States launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, significantly escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The high-security huddle will include the participation of key federal ministers and the senior military leadership. Local media has reported the meeting would deliberate on the rapidly evolving regional situation, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict—now with U.S. support—along with other pressing internal and external security matters.
Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, who recently returned from a trip to the U.S., will also brief the committee on the details of his meeting with Trump in Washington.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced Washington had used bunker-buster bombs and missiles to target three nuclear facilities located in Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned America’s strikes, stressing the bombings violate international law. It has also backed diplomacy as the only way to resolve the crisis.
“The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,” it said.
Pakistan has also joined China and Russia in circulating a draft resolution for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting calling for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” The resolution urges “all parties to refrain from further escalation; demands the urgent protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure; and supports a diplomatic path forward on the Iranian nuclear issue that is acceptable to all parties.”
Iran, meanwhile, has warned it may target U.S. facilities and interests in the region.