PM Shehbaz Sharif Convenes High-Level National Command Authority Meeting Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions

Islamabad | May 10, 2025

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called an urgent meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) — the country’s highest decision-making body on strategic and security matters, including the management of its nuclear arsenal. The announcement was made by Pakistan’s military on Friday evening.

The emergency meeting, scheduled for Saturday, comes on the heels of Pakistan launching a military operation that reportedly targeted multiple Indian bases. The move marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with both sides trading accusations of airspace violations and drone attacks throughout the week.

According to official sources, the NCA meeting will include top civilian and military leadership. The discussions are expected to focus on national security threats, the operational readiness of Pakistan’s defense systems, and the broader regional situation in light of the recent cross-border confrontations.

In a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing said, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the National Command Authority to review the prevailing security environment and ensure a comprehensive response strategy.”

The escalation began earlier this week when both countries accused each other of violating sovereign airspaces using drones and other unmanned munitions. The deadly exchanges have already claimed at least 48 lives, including civilians and military personnel on both sides, raising international concerns over the growing instability in the region.

Analysts warn that the current trajectory of conflict poses a serious risk of miscalculation. “When two nuclear-armed states start engaging in tit-for-tat strikes, the danger of things spiraling out of control is real,” said retired Lt. Gen. Talat Masood, a prominent defense analyst in Islamabad.

India has yet to issue an official response to Pakistan’s military action, though sources in New Delhi have confirmed high-level meetings are underway to assess the situation and prepare diplomatic and strategic responses.

Meanwhile, global powers including the United States, China, and the United Nations have urged both countries to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation.

The National Command Authority is a critical component of Pakistan’s national security framework. It oversees the strategic planning and operational control of the country’s nuclear forces. Saturday’s meeting signals just how seriously the current crisis is being taken in Islamabad.

As tensions simmer, all eyes remain on the outcomes of the NCA meeting — a gathering that could significantly shape the next phase of the Indo-Pak conflict.