NAP, military courts: PM asks Qureshi to remove opposition’s grievances

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to take opposition parties into confidence and remove their reservations over the National Acton Plan (NAP) and military courts.

The premier made these directions while chairing the first meeting of the National Internal Security Committee on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Noorul Haq Qadri, Minister of State for Interior Sheharyar Khan Afridi, DG ISI, federal secretaries, DG IB, chief secretaries of the provinces, IGs, provincial secretaries and senior officials.

Addressing the meeting, Imran Khan said implementation of the NAP is the foremost priority of the present government as it is reflective of will of the nation and a consensus document agreed upon by all political parties of the country.

He said the government is committed to remove all impediments towards implementation of the plan in letter and spirit. The prime minister said Pakistan has suffered immensely, both in terms of human lives as well as material losses, due to the menace of terrorism.

“As a result of huge sacrifices rendered by the armedforces of Pakistan, intelligence agencies, police, civil armed forces and other law-enforcement agencies, we have made significant progress towards combating terrorism and ensuring peace,” said the PM.

He reiterated that Pakistan is firmly committed not to allow any militant group operate in the country or use its territory for any militant activity within or outside Pakistan. Recounting various legislative and administrative measures taken by the present government in dealing with militancy, combating terror-financing, money laundering and hawala-hundi etc, the prime minister stressed upon the need for continued and sustained on-ground effort towards taking this struggle to a conclusive end. Finance Minister gave the meeting an update about FATF related matters and meetings held with Asia Pacific Group. Secretary Interior Major (R) Azam Suleman Khan apprised the meeting about the progress in implementation of the NAP and highlighted the efforts being made in dealing with the issues of cyber security, money laundering, madrassa reforms and addressing various challenges in way to successful implementation of the plan. The prime minister commended the efforts of the Interior Ministry towards ensuring coordination among the relevant agencies and departments in implementation of the NAP. The meeting decided to constitute expert working groups to ensure seamless coordination and implementation of every aspect of the NAP.