PKONWEB Report — The government’s National Security Committee (NSC) Wednesday held an exceptionally significant meeting in capital Islamabad at the Prime Minister Office (PMO). Backdrop: volatile situation in the region amid fear of showdown between Iran and US and heavy military presence in the area.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump tweeted: “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran.”
BBC News
The forum discussed serious economic problems confronting Pakistan from sustainable and lasting solutions point of view. The huddle was important amid stalemate in Afghan peace efforts and continuance of right-wing extremist Hindu BJP rule in India with more offensive agenda and belligerent posture expected.
The release issued on the conclusion of the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan maintained that “The forum discussed geostrategic environment with special reference to recent developments in the region. The forum reiterated that Pakistan shall continue all its efforts towards regional peace and stability.
Iran has made a dramatic shift in how it confronts the United States, abandoning a policy of restraint in recent weeks for a series of offensive actions aimed at pushing the White House to rethink its efforts at isolating Tehran, say diplomats and analysts.
WASHINGTON POST
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh briefed the huddle about the economic situation of the country and government’s efforts for bringing sustainable and enduring economic stability in the country.
Federal Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmad Shah and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood for the first time attended the meeting. Well-placed sources told The News that Sohail Mahmood who returned from New Delhi after relinquishing his charge as High Commissioner to India briefed the meeting about the possible outcome of Indian polls and its impact on Indian policies toward Pakistan.
The potential of attacks by Iran has been “put on hold” by US counter-measures, acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has said.
BBC News
Sources say the committee advised the government to maintain its vigilance about the happenings in the region. The meet recognized that Pakistan should stay away from any conflict with putting efforts to stall any mishaps and clash.
In a separate session, the forum discussed Gilgit-Baltistan reform. The prime minister directed that aspirations of people of Gilgit-Baltistan specially the youth must be given preeminence during the decision making process. Interestingly, the law-enforcing agencies recently busted a gang and foiled well planned conspiracy to ruin peace and security in GB.
The meeting discussed internal and external security situation and took stock of the efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country fully. The recent incidents of terror were also discussed by the NSC while interior Minister Ijaz Shah briefed the meeting about it.
The sources said NSC reviewed the progress of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism and extremism while discussing internal security situation. The participants discussed recent measures to further tighten noose around the proscribed organizations and expressed satisfaction about the efforts to implement NAP in totality. The current situation in Afghanistan particularly the ongoing effort seeking a political solution was also on the agenda. Other issues included the current state of Pakistan-India ties and rising tensions in the Persian Gulf region.
The meeting was attended by Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, Interior Minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Law Minister Barrister Muhammad Farogh Naseem, Minister for Kashmir Affairs & GB Ali Amin Gandapur, Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, CJCSC General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, DG ISI Lt Gen Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, DG MO Maj Gen Nauman Zikria and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, federal secretaries of Interior, Law, Kashmir Affairs & GB and National Security Division.
