Security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens: PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) has approved Pakistan’s first-ever national security policy today (Monday), confirmed Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry.

Taking to Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry said that national security policy was approved by the NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan. He maintained that the policy will be tabled in the federal cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday (tomorrow).

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG ISI Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yousaf and other senior government and military officials were among the attendees.

Pakistan’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026 was presented for approval by Yousaf during the meeting. The NSA briefed the participants on the salient features of the NSP. 

He highlighted that Pakistan was shifting to a Comprehensive National Security Framework whereby the ultimate purpose of national security was to ensure the safety, security and dignity of the citizen of Pakistan. To ensure this citizen-centric approach to security, the NSP put economic security at the core. A stronger economy would create additional resources that would in turn be judiciously distributed to further bolster military and human security.

Participants were informed that the NSP had been created through a whole-of-government effort over the last seven years, and included extensive consultations among federal government institutions, with all provinces, and with the academia and private sector. 

It was highlighted that a detailed implementation framework had been created through which the National Security Division would review progress in collaboration with relevant ministries and departments.

Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasised that the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens and reposed confidence that Pakistan is well prepared to meet any internal and external threats. NSC members, while approving the NSP, appreciated the National Security Division and all other government departments for this effort. 

Terming the NSP’s formulation and approval of a historic moment, the Prime Minister noted that the Policy must guide all organs of the government to ensure that their efforts are synchronised with the overall direction of the NSP. He instructed the National Security Adviser to present an implementation progress report to the NSC every month.

The revitalisation of the Planning Committee and the expansion of NSC’s Advisory Board was also unanimously approved by the participants during the meeting.

The NSP will now be presented to the Cabinet before being officially adopted. A public version of the document will be released in due course.