In a rare move, Army chief Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa today briefed the Senate - the upper house of the parliament - on security situation and regional issues including Pakistan's participation in the Saudi-led Islamic coalition.
The contents of the briefing were not shared officially so far but media outlets reported quoting unnamed sources that General Bajwa shared the details of his visits to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, while highlighting the role of the army in the security in context of regional situation.
"We cannot ignore the changes that are taking place in Afghanistan," Gen Bajwa said during the in-camera session which was presided over by Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani.
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"Border management is necessary to protect the Pak-Afghan border," he was quoted as saying by Dawn.
Citing sources, the paper reported that Gen Bajwa said that trips to certain countries are an important aspect of military diplomacy and that the military is paying close attention to the geostrategic situation in the region.
Gen Bajwa recently visited the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Iran was not happy when Pakistan had announced its decision to join the Saudi-led coalition as it fears that the coalition's main aim is to further a sectarian agenda.
It is for the first time in six years that the military leadership has come to the Parliament House to brief lawmakers on the security situation.
Last time it was in May 2011 when then army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and then ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha had briefed a joint session of parliament about the Abbottabad operation in which Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden had been killed by US forces.
The powerful army, which enjoys considerable influence over policy decisions in Pakistan, has ruled the country for much of its life since it gained independence 70 years ago.
Gen Bajwa was accompanied by Director General of Military Operations Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Naveed Mukhtar and Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor.
Maj Gen Mirza briefed the lawmakers about operations against militants.
The army chief also held a meeting with Rabbani in the latter's chambers.
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