ISLAMABAD: Civilian and military leadership would meet on Saturday for a briefing on ‘national security’.

The briefing has been convened by the government for updating the political leadership about the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb against militants in North Waziristan and other challenges to the national security, an information ministry official said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, chief ministers of all the provinces and leaders of parliamentary parties would be attending the briefing.

From the military side, the meeting would be attended by Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, ISI Director General Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam, Director General Military Operations Maj Gen Amir Riaz and other senior officers.

The briefing, which comes days ahead of the Azadi March planned by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, would provide an opportunity to the civilian and military leadership to exchange views on the political crisis in the making.

Prime Minister Sharif has already been consulting major political parties on dealing with the PTI’s agitation plan.

Meanwhile, a PTI source claimed that its leadership had declined the government invitation to the briefing.

Published in Dawn, Aug 9th, 2014