ISLAMABAD: Top civil and military leadership Friday took stock of the security situation in across the country and beyond and reaffirmed its commitment towards tackling internal and external security challenges to Pakistan, including the evolving situation in war-ravaged Afghanistan.
Chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the meeting of the National Security Meeting was held Friday at the PM’s office and attended by the top civil and military leadership — including the four services’ chiefs.
Addressing a press conference following the meeting, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed confirmed the meeting was also attended by the outgoing chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.
Ahmed said border management and matters pertaining to the security situation in the country came under discussion.
During the meeting, Khan was given a detailed briefing on the evolving regional security regime, “particularly the recent developments in Afghanistan and their possible impact on Pakistan”, according to a Prime Minister’s Office statement.
The National Security Committee was convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI to discuss the ongoing situation in #Afghanistan.
The meeting was attended by relevant Federal Cabinet members, all Services Chiefs, and heads of intelligence services. pic.twitter.com/4whV4elewq
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) October 8, 2021
The prime minister expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s support to the international evacuation efforts from Afghanistan and noted “the entire world had recognised Pakistan’s positive contribution,” the statement added.
The committee stressed the incumbent regional situation regime was “extremely complex”, and that any instability in Afghanistan could have severe implications for Islamabad.
“Agreeing with this view, the prime minister stressed the need for a coordinated policy effort,” the PMO said.
It disclosed Khan issued directions for the establishment of a dedicated cell to synergise various streams of efforts on Afghanistan across the government, including international coordination for humanitarian assistance and effective border management to prevent “any negative spillover” into Pakistan.
The importance of international coordination on constructive political and economic engagement with the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan was also highlighted.
The meeting also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and sovereign Afghanistan. “The participants noted, with concern, the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised the urgent need for the international community to provide assistance to avert a humanitarian crisis,” the press statement said.
Earlier, along with Ahmed, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak arrived at the PMO to attend the meeting.
Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry were also present.
