ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC), the country’s highest forum on security and foreign policy, agreed on Monday that economic sovereignty is essential to national security in the face of persistent economic uncertainty and the threat of default.
A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office following the 40th meeting of the NSC reads, “The forum underscored that comprehensive ‘national security’ revolves around economic security and that sovereignty or dignity comes under stress without self-sufficiency and economic independence.”
The crucial meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and attendees included members of the relevant federal cabinet, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, chiefs of all services, and heads of intelligence services. The fact that this was the NSC’s second meeting in less than a week was significant.
وزیراعظم شہبازشریف کی زیرصدارت نیشنل سکیورٹی کمیٹی (این۔ایس۔سی) کے چالیسویں اجلاس کی دوسری نشست آج اسلام آباد میں منعقد ہوئی۔ اجلاس میں وفاقی وزرا، چئیرمین جوائنٹ چیفس آف سٹاف کمیٹی، تینوں سروسز چیفس اورانٹیلی جنس اداروں کے سربراہان نے شرکت کی۔
It was anticipated that the NSC, which met during a surge in terrorist violence, would primarily devise a new strategy or modify an existing one to address the new security challenge. However, the fact that the forum discussed the country’s economic situation, something it typically does not do, indicates that the powers that be are beginning to feel the weight of the growing economic fragility brought on by political volatility.
According to official sources, the NSC discussed the economic situation because it has reached a point where it is directly affecting the country’s national security.
According to the statement, the session took a comprehensive look at Pakistan’s current economic situation in light of the difficulties faced by the common man, particularly those in the lower and middle classes.
Finance Priest Ishaq Dar advised the members on the public authority’s guide for monetary strength, including the situation with conversations with global monetary organizations, investigating other monetary roads in light of shared interests along with help measures for the everyday person.
The postpone in the ninth survey of the Global Monitory Asset’s $7 billion Broadened Asset Office program for Pakistan has exasperated monetary worries by amplifying the default fears. After the ninth review was completed, the global lender would release the subsequent $1.18 billion tranche.
Even though the government claims to have made arrangements for this fiscal year’s $32 billion gross external loans, these plans cannot be implemented without the IMF’s support.
According to sources, the PDM government wanted all stakeholders on board to make difficult decisions given the impasse with the IMF. The beleaguered government would find it difficult to make difficult decisions if it did not have support from all relevant sources.
The NSC agreed to take specific measures to strengthen the economy, such as rationalizing imports and preventing the flow of illegal currency and Hawala business. In order to ensure food security, import substitution, and employment, special attention will be paid to increasing agricultural output and the manufacturing sector.
People-centered economic policies that benefit the common man will continue to be a priority, the meeting decided. According to the statement, it was also agreed upon to include all stakeholders in order to reach consensus on a roadmap and effective economic recovery on a fast track.
In conjunction with provincial governments and multilateral financial institutions, the forum decided to mobilize all resources for the rehabilitation of 33 million flood victims and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. The ongoing relief efforts led by the prime minister and the federating units were also appreciated by the forum.
The NSC also made it clear to the Afghan Taliban regime that Pakistan would not permit its neighbor to provide safe havens for terrorists and help them. Pakistan “reserves all rights in this regard to safeguard her people,” according to the statement, without naming Afghanistan. “The forum concluded that no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists.”
Although it was not explicitly stated, the statement suggested that Pakistan might use the border safe havens for terrorists as a target if Afghanistan did not take the necessary action. International law, according to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, prohibits cross-border attacks on terrorist hideouts.
However, the Afghan Taliban regime warned Pakistan against conducting cross-border raids and denied Pakistan’s claims that the TTP was based in Afghanistan. However, the NSC statement suggests Pakistan is not persuaded by the Afghan Taliban government’s position.
The country’s security situation was also discussed, with a focus on the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The prime minister emphasized that, in accordance with the National Internal Security Policy and the National Action Plan, the federal and provincial governments would lead the war against terrorism with a focus on people-centered socioeconomic development, while the armed forces would provide resolute deterrence and a secure, enabling environment.
The statement reads, “The Provincial Apex Committees are being revived in full earnest, and LEAs, particularly CTDs, will be brought up to the required fighting standards with the requisite capabilities.”
The NSC reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all organizations that resort to violence and reiterated its commitment to Pakistan’s zero tolerance for terrorism. The state will deal with this with all of its might. It added, “The full writ of the state will be maintained on every inch of Pakistan’s territory, and Pakistan’s security is uncompromising.”
Source: Express Tribune