On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and top military leadership visited Islamabad’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Headquarters to receive a comprehensive briefing on internal and external national security challenges facing Pakistan. This meeting underscores growing alarm about regional instability.
The prime minister was joined by three of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir; Admiral Naveed Ashraf of Naval Staff and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu of Air Staff respectively. Additionally, ISI Director General Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum was present and led an intelligence briefing.
According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the delegation was briefed on evolving regional threats, counterterrorism operations and internal security measures. Participants received an in-depth briefing of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) being conducted to neutralize terror elements as well as on regional conditions between neighboring countries,” according to this official statement from PMO.
The briefing also examined hybrid warfare threats, cyber security challenges and cross-border militancy issues, particularly amid fears of a return of terrorism in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. A particular focus of attention was given to counterintelligence efforts aimed at protecting national interests against external subversion.
Prime Minister Shehbaz lauded ISI for its professionalism, vigilance and unwavering commitment to national security. “Pakistan’s first line of defense, ISI continues to perform their duties with distinction – their sacrifice will not go wasted!” he stated before pledgeing all necessary support from government for Pakistan’s intelligence and security apparatuses.
Sources within the security establishment noted that this meeting showed an increasingly close partnership between civilian government and military leadership to address multidimensional threats, especially as regional dynamics change amid geopolitical tensions worldwide.
Since his election as Prime Minister following general elections in 2024, Shehbaz Sharif has made several visits to ISI Headquarters with various service chiefs to demonstrate a unified approach against terrorism, border security and foreign interference.
Recently, Pakistan has experienced an upsurge of militant violence with attacks against law enforcement officers and civilians. In response, the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against extremism, and Tuesday’s meeting serves as part of its larger plan to strengthen national counterterrorism initiatives.
Officials noted that such security briefings will continue periodically to ensure alignment on both policy and operational matters.