NSC vows to ensure sovereignty, economic independence of country & root out terrorism

• NSC meets again on Monday
• The meeting pledges to root out terrorism
• Guideline on economic and security discussed

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) again met on Monday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

Relevant federal cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all services chiefs including COAS Gen Asim Munir and heads of intelligence services attended the 40th meeting of the NSC.

According to the declaration of the meeting issued here, the NSC pledged to root out every kind of terrorism from the country.

The committee reiterated its resolve to have zero tolerance for terrorism in Pakistan and reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence.

“This will be dealt with full force of the state. Pakistan’s security is uncompromisable and the full writ of the state will be maintained on every inch of Pakistan’s territory,” the Committee resolved.

The forum was apprised of the security situation of the country with a particular focus on recent terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The prime minister emphasized that the war against terrorism would be led by federal and provincial governments as per National Action Plan in accordance with National Internal Security Policy with people-centric socio-economic development as a priority while the armed forces would provide resolute deterrence and secure conducive and enabling environment.

He said the provincial apex committees were being revived in full earnest and law enforcement agencies especially the counter-terrorism departments would be brought up to the required fighting standards with requisite capabilities.

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The forum concluded that no country would be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists and Pakistan reserved all rights in that respect to safeguarding its people.

The prime minister emphasized that the war against terrorism would be led by federal and provincial governments as per National Action Plan in accordance with National Internal Security Policy with people-centric socio-economic development as a priority while the armed forces would provide resolute deterrence and secure conducive and enabling environment.

He said the provincial apex committees were being revived in full earnest and law enforcement agencies especially the counter-terrorism departments would be brought up to the required fighting standards with requisite capabilities.

The forum concluded that no country would be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists and Pakistan reserved all rights in that respect to safeguarding its people.

The Committee underscored that comprehensive ‘National Security’ revolved around economic security and that sovereignty or dignity came under stress without self-sufficiency and economic independence.

The forum undertook a comprehensive view of the ongoing economic situation vis-à-vis challenges being faced by the common people of Pakistan, particularly the lower and middle-income classes.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also briefed the participants about the current economic situation and stability roadmap of the government including the status of discussions with international financial institutions, exploring other financial avenues based on mutual interests as well as relief measures for common people.

In order to strengthen the economy, the committee agreed on undertaking concrete steps including import rationalization as well as preventing illegal currency outflows and hawala business.

The emphasis will be specially made to improve agricultural output and manufacturing sector to ensure food security, imports substitution and employment.

The NSC agreed to strengthen the steps taken for the improvement of the economy so far.

It was resolved that people-centric economic policies with trickle-down effects on common people would remain a priority. It was also agreed to involve all stakeholders for consensus to realise effective and fast-track economic recovery and road map.

While taking into account the efforts for mitigating the challenges of 33 million flood-affected people, the forum resolved to mobilize all resources for their rehabilitation and reconstruction in coordination with the provincial governments and multilateral financial institutions.

The Committee also appreciated the ongoing relief efforts led by the prime minister and federating units.

It also discussed the proposals shared in the last session and to approve a guideline on economic and national security amid soaring terrorism in the country.

The meeting was told about the rehabilitation and relief activities in the flood-affected areas.

The delegation in the meeting approved decisions regarding terrorists working against the peace and stability in Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the previous meeting of NSC with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair ended on notes to fight the scourge of terrorism in Pakistan.

The meeting concluded with the aim to combat terrorism by all means and during the session, the reasons behind the rising wave of terrorism in Pakistan were underscored and the forum agreed to intensify the operations against the terrorists.

A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said the NSC’s participants expressed an unequivocal opinion that Pakistan’s national interests would not be compromised and no one would be allowed to harm the national security.