ISLAMABAD – The National Security Committee (NSC) on Monday approved Pakistan’s first ever National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026, with Prime Minister Imran Khan calling it “historic moment”.
The policy was approved during the 36th meeting of NSC, chaired by the premier and attended by Federal Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Information & Broadcasting, Interior, Finance, Human Rights, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all Services Chiefs, National Security Advisor and senior civil and military officers. A public version of the document will be released in due course, the government said.
It was presented for approval by the National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf during the meeting. The NSA briefed the participants on the salient features of the NSP.
Yusuf 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.
36th National Security Committee Meeting
“Security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens” : Prime Minister Imran Khan
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI chaired the 36th meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today. pic.twitter.com/o4hMcilEpU
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) December 27, 2021
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.
PM Imran Khan emphasized that the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens and reposed confidence that Flag of Pakistan is well prepared to meet any internal and external threats.
NSC members, while approving the NSP, appreciated the NSD and all other govt departments for this effort.
Terming the NSP’s formulation and approval a historic moment, the Prime Minister noted that the Policy must guide all organs of the government to ensure that their efforts are synchronized with the overall direction of the NSP.
He instructed the National Security Adviser to present an implementation progress report to the NSC every month.
Revitalization of Planning Committee & expansion of NSC’s Advisory Board was also unanimously approved by participants during the meeting.
The NSP will now be presented to Cabinet before being officially adopted.
