National Security Committee reviews security situation in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee to review the security situation in Balochistan.

The meeting was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshall Sohail Aman and other senior civil and military officials.

They reviewed the security situation in Balochistan and condemned the recent attacks on police officials in Quetta, as well as the Pakistan Army post in Bajaur Agency in which two soldiers were martyred.

The committee appreciated the significant improvement brought through the tireless work of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, and expressed concern over the increasingly exposed activities of hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan.

The committee affirmed that the federal government should collaborate more deeply with the Balochistan government for rapid socioeconomic development of the province.

The meeting developed a consensus to provide increased development resources to the province and adopt an implementation mechanism for development projects to ensure greater efficiency and transparency so that the benefits flow directly to the Baloch people at the grassroots level.

The committee was apprised that concrete measures are being undertaken to improve border management to deny movement of miscreants and criminals into Balochistan.

It was also informed that the federal government was allocating the best civil servants to Balochistan to improve the administrative efficiency in the province.

While reviewing the progress made with respect to Pakistan’s commitment under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework, the committee observed that Pakistan needed to convey its position and achievements comprehensively and clearly to the FATF.

The committee also reviewed the status of regional gas and oil pipelines under consideration to strengthen energy security, and it was agreed to take advantage of the opportunities available in the best economic and national interest.

The foreign secretary briefed the meeting on the latest developments in the regional security situation and  the events rapidly unfolding in the Middle East.

After detailed discussion, the meeting unanimously agreed that Pakistan should play a proactive role in the best interest of the Muslim Ummah, while firmly adhering to bilateral commitments.