National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf announced that the federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s first ever National Security Policy, which he termed a ‘truly historic achievement’. The policy was approved by the National Security Committee (NSC) on Monday.
In a series of tweets, Yusuf extolled the new policy stating, “It is a truly historic achievement; a citizen-centric comprehensive [national security] policy with economic security at the core will now be pursued in earnest.”
1/5. After the NSC’s endorsement of Pakistan’s first-ever National Security Policy yesterday, the Cabinet has approved it today. It is a truly historic achievement; a citizen-centric comprehensive Nat. Sec. policy with economic security at the core will now be pursued in earnest.
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) December 28, 2021
The NSA credited the success of the policy to, “Prime Minister Imran Khan’s constant leadership and encouragement,” as well as support from civil and military leadership.
The NSC approved the policy on Monday at the 36th NSC meeting, chaired by Imran Khan and attended by federal ministers for defence, foreign affairs, finance and human rights, information and broadcasting, interior, the national security adviser, services chiefs, and senior officials.
Although the document has not yet been publicly released, officials have praised the innovative nature of the policy as the country’s first ever to coordinate the government’s foreign, defence and economic policies on national security. The five-year policy will cover the period from 2022-2026 and will be reviewed each year.
The policy is purported to deliver a more holistic approach to security, including not just traditional military prowess, but also economic stability, food and water security, human development, population growth and foreign policy.
In a bid at inclusivity, the document underwent various rounds of feedback consultations with various stakeholders, including provincial governments, the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as over 600 academics, analysts, students, and other members of Pakistani civil society.
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