ISLAMABAD – The Federal cabinet on Tuesday approved Pakistan’s first-ever National Security Policy a day after it was endorsed by the National Security Committee.
This was announced by National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf on Twitter, calling it “a truly historic achievement”. He added, “a citizen-centric comprehensive Nat. Sec. policy with economic security at the core will now be pursued in earnest”.
This umbrella document will, over time, help guide sectoral policies for the fulfillment of Pakistan’s national security objectives.
“I would like to thank the civil and military leadership for all their support and input. The Policy would not have seen the light of day without the Prime Minister’s constant leadership and encouragement,” he wrote.
“I am extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated team at our @SPPCPakistan and would like to congratulate them and the entire team of the National Security Division for their hard work and dedication over the years in bringing the policy to fruition,” he added.
The success of the policy will lie in its implementation for which a plan has been developed, Yusuf said, adding that a public version of the NSP document will be launched by the PM and released in due course.
On Monday, NSC approved Pakistan’s first ever 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.
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.
