- Meeting attributes recent spate of terrorism to soft corner for banned militant group
- PM discusses overall situation with COAS, DG ISI in meeting prior to NSC huddle
ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday approved a multi-pronged comprehensive operation with the support of the government and the nation to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country with a new resolve, determination and valour.
The 41st meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) – the principal decision-making body on national security matters – was held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair. The meeting was attended by senior civil and military leadership, including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, all services chiefs and chief ministers.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs 41st meeting of the National Security Council ( 7.4.23). pic.twitter.com/HWpTIgV2nv
— PMLN (@pmln_org) April 7, 2023
The NSC meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House, which was a continuation of the meeting held after the terrorist attack on the Peshawar Police Lines on January 2, 2023.
The committee review the internal and external situation of law and order in the country at lengthen.
قومی سلامتی کونسل کا اکتالیسواں (41) اجلاس جمعہ کے روز وزیراعظم ہاﺅس میں منعقد ہوا۔ وزیراعظم شہبازشریف نے اجلاس کی صدارت کی جس میں وفاقی وزرا چئیرمین جوائنٹ چیف آف سٹاف کمیٹی ، سروسز چیفس اور متعلقہ اداروں کے اعلی حکام نے شرکت کی۔ pic.twitter.com/4LyvRGYsxq
— PMLN (@pmln_org) April 7, 2023
At the start of the meeting, the participants paid tribute to those who were martyred in Gayari sector tragedy on April 7, 2012.
Emphasizing comprehensive national security, it was declared that relief to the people was of central importance. The forum was told that the government was taking measures in this connection.
The meeting acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of the security forces for ensuring permanent peace for the nation. The forum reiterated the resolve to continue operation till eradication of terrorism from Pakistan.
‘Soft corner’ for TTP blamed for rise in terrorism
The NSC concluded that the recent spate of terrorism in the country was a consequence of a “soft corner” for the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and a “thoughtless policy” towards the terror outfit, both of which were “contrary to the public’s expectations”.
As a result, the press release said, “terrorists were not just allowed to return to the country unimpeded but dangerous TTP militants were also released from jails in the name of confidence building”.
With the return of these “dangerous terrorists” and as a consequence of assistance being provided from various militant organisations operating in Afghanistan in large numbers, the country’s peace and stability were destroyed, the press release added. It underlined that this peace and stability were attained after “countless sacrifices and continuous efforts”.
According to the press release, the NSC expressed the determination to defeat the “nefarious designs” of the country’s enemies and resolved that all possible efforts would be made to maintain the “peace and order achieved by the great sacrifices and continuous efforts of the martyrs”.
“The meeting acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of the security forces for providing lasting peace to the nation,” the press release said, adding that the forum reiterated its commitment to continue its activities till the end of terrorism from Pakistan.
The participants of the meeting further paid tribute to the martyrs of the Gayari sector tragedy on April 7, 2012, when at least 140 people, including Pakistan Army personnel and civilians, were martyred after an avalanche struck an army camp near the Siachen glacier.
It was agreed that in the new multi-pronged and comprehensive operation, combined efforts at diplomatic, security, economic and social levels would be undertaken for the elimination of the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
A high level committee was formed which within two weeks would present its recommendations for the implementation of the policy and to draw its parameters.
The NSC also lauded the arrest of the founder of the banned militant group Baloch National Army, Gulzar Imam alias Shambay, as announced by the military’s media wing earlier today.
“The committee strongly condemned the efforts to spread foreign-sponsored poisonous propaganda against state institutions and their leadership on social media under the guise of ulterior motives, as well as growing divisions and hatred in society, determining that this affects national security,” the press release said.
Earlier, a meeting of parliamentary leaders was held which was attended by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and other leaders including Khalid Maqbool, Aslam Bhutani, Khalid Magsi and Khurram Dastgir.
However, there is so far been no official word on the high-powered huddle.
However, sources said the meeting would take stock of the “current situation”, particularly after the Supreme Court ruling that directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.
On the other hand, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that the PDM coalition government has called the NSC meeting in an attempt to use national security as a pretext for the postponement of elections.
COAS calls on PM Shehbaz ahead of NSC meeting
Earlier, Army Chief General Asim Munir met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hours before the start of the most important meeting of National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday.
As per the official sources, both the prime minister and the army chief held a discussion on the situation of the country at PM House in Islamabad. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Nadeem Anjum was also present in the meeting.
Earlier today, PTI leader Shireen Mazari commented that the NSC meeting would be crucial. She said it would be critical in shaping the future course of action regarding the country’s security.
NSC meeting today will reveal a lot abt whether Constitution & Rule of Law will be upheld or whether law of the jungle will prevail & the vicious vendetta against Imran Khan & PTI will continue. Let's hope PDM's fear of elections does not translate into State against Naton.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 7, 2023
“NSC meeting today will reveal a lot about whether Constitution & Rule of Law will be upheld or whether law of the jungle will prevail & the vicious vendetta against Imran Khan & PTI will continue,” she tweeted.
US envoy Blome calls on PM Shehbaz
Earlier, United States (US) Ambassador Donald Blome Friday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad. According to the official sources, both the prime minister and the US ambassador discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
