On Monday, Pakistan's highest security panel approved its National Security Policy for the period 2022-2026, emphasizing "economic security at the core" in the first-of-its-kind policy aimed at ensuring a "citizen-centric approach to security."
The strategy was presented and accepted at the National Security Committee's (NSC) 36th meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza and all Services Chiefs.
Moeed Yusuf, Pakistan's National Security Advisor (NSA), stated during the presentation of the document that Pakistan was transitioning to a Comprehensive National Security Framework, with the ultimate goal of ensuring citizens' safety, security, and dignity. This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a National Security Policy has been authorized.
"To ensure this citizen-centric approach to security, the NSP emphasized economic security. According to the Prime Minister's Office, a more robust economy would provide more excellent resources prudently dispersed to improve military and human security.
The NSC meeting was also attended by Federal Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Information, Interior, Finance, Human Rights, and other senior civil and military personnel. The NSP was developed over seven years involving extensive consultations with federal government entities, the provinces, academia, and the business sector, NSA Yusuf stated during the meeting.
It was emphasized that a comprehensive implementation structure had been developed, which would allow the National Security Division to monitor progress in coordination with key ministries and departments. While approving the NSP, the NSC members expressed gratitude to the National Security Division and all other government ministries for their efforts. Prime Minister Khan emphasized on the occasion that Pakistan's security is contingent upon the safety of its inhabitants, expressing confidence in Pakistan's ability to counter any internal or external danger.
The prime minister described the formulation and approval of the NSP as a watershed moment, noting that the policy must guide all government agencies to ensure that their efforts are aligned with the NSP's general goal. He directed the National Security Adviser to give a monthly status report on implementation to the National Security Council.
The NSP will now be given to the cabinet for approval before being implemented officially, and the material will be made public in due course. According to the statement, the participants unanimously supported the revitalization of the Planning Committee and the extension of the NSC's Advisory Board.
