LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to ensure that security arrangements in Islamabad were managed effectively and that all related issues are addressed promptly.

A press release by the prime minister’s media wing said that during the meeting, the interior minister briefed the premier on the overall security situation of the country.

“The prime minister was also given a detailed briefing on the current overall situation and security in Islamabad,” it added.

Meeting held to review country’s overall safety status

According to the press release, PM Shehbaz directed the interior minister to address the security situation in Islamabad and other matters “in an effective and efficient manner”.

Sri Lanka visit

The statement by the premier’s media wing further said that Mr Naqvi would soon visit Sri Lanka, where he would “convey the prime minister’s special message” to the Sri Lankan president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Islamabad has experienced two major suicide attacks in recent weeks. One occurred on Feb 6, when 36 people were killed and over 150 injured in a suicide bombing at an imambargah during Friday prayers.

The other attack took place in November, when a suicide blast outside a district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area killed 12 people and injured more than 30.

PM Shehbaz and President Asif Ali Zardari had held a meeting at the Presidency on Thursday to take stock of the political and security situation. The meeting was also attended by Mr Naqvi, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and other officials.

Recently, Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi chaired important meetings at the Central Police Office, Islamabad, and the Superintendent of Police (Rural Zone) office to review the overall law and order situation and security arrangements in the federal capital, besides ordering digitalisation, enhancing security measures, and public facilities.

During the meetings, the Islamabad police chief conducted a detailed review of the security measures in place and directed all senior officers to utilise all available resources to further strengthen and make the security of the federal capital foolproof.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026