Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Afghanistan’s soil continued to be used against Pakistan, despite an agreement.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: Political and military leadership on Monday said no country would be allowed to shelter militants who stage attacks against Pakistan in an apparent reference to neighboring Afghanistan.
“The forum concluded that no country will be allowed to provide sanctuaries and facilitation to terrorists and Pakistan reserves all rights in that respect to safeguarding her people,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office at the conclusion of the National Security Committee (NSC) said.
The statement followed amid a surge in attacks by Taliban, many of whom are hiding in neighboring Afghanistan in the country’s northwest.
Two weeks back militants linked to the Tehreek–e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) seized a counter-terrorism centre after they had held government officers and detainees hostage in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They demanded safe passage to Afghanistan in return for the release of hostages. Security forces, later, killed all militants in a ‘special operation’.
The increasing militant violence has strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Afghanistan’s soil continued to be used against Pakistan, despite an agreement.
“Afghan government had promised that their territory wouldn’t be used against Pakistan… the Pakistani government is in constant touch with Afghanistan in connection with border violations,” Asif told a private TV channel.
The government statement said the country’s top civil-military leadership also vowed to show “zero tolerance” for terrorism and reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence.
“Pakistan’s security is uncompromisable and the full writ of the state will be maintained on every inch of Pakistan’s territory. This (terrorism) will be dealt with the full force of the state.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the second round of the 40th meeting of the NSC following the first round held on Friday. All service chiefs, key cabinet ministers, heads of intelligence agencies, and other high officials attended the meeting.
The committee was briefed about the recent security situation including a spike in terror attacks in the country, especially Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that the war against terrorism will 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 Armed Forces will provide resolute deterrence and secure conducive and enabling environment”.
“Provincial Apex Committees are being revived in full earnest and LEAs especially CTDs will be brought up to the required fighting standards with requisite capabilities.”
The statement said 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 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 imports rationalization as well as preventing illegal currency outflows and hawala business.”
Emphasis will be specially made to improve agricultural output and the manufacturing sector to ensure food security, import 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 realize effective and fast-track economic recovery and road map.
“While taking into account the efforts for mitigating the challenges of 33 million flood affectees, the forum resolved to mobilize all resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction in coordination with the provincial governments and multilateral financial institutions.”
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