PM Shehbaz hopes 'major decisions' of NSC to revive economy, curb terrorism

PM Shehbaz hopes 'major decisions' of NSC to revive economy, curb terrorism

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday the National Security Committee (NSC) took major decisions in its recent meeting to ensure national security and economic security.

The premier issued the statement on Twitter a day after the top civil-military leadership met in the federal capital to find ways to tackle rising trend of terrorism and deepening economic crisis.

Taking to Twitter, the premier wrote: “NSC took some major decisions yesterday after hours-long deliberations. Two of them stand out: State of Pakistan will adopt zero tolerance policy for terrorists challenging its writ. Peace is non-negotiable. Two, economic roadmap will revive economy & provide relief to the people”.

NSC took some major decisions yesterday after hours-long deliberations. Two of them stand out: State of Pakistan will adopt zero tolerance policy for terrorists challenging its writ. Peace is non-negotiable. Two, economic roadmap will revive economy & provide relief to the people

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 3, 2023

The NSC moot, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was attended by federal cabinet members, including Ishaq Dar, Bilawal Bhutto, Khawaja Asif and Rana Sanaullah, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, all services chiefs, and heads of intelligence services.

An official statement said the NSC had 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 emphasised 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.

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.

The finance minister briefed the forum about the economic 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. 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.