ISLAMABAD - Expressing serious concerns over the anti-state elements and their collaboration with foreign intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan, the National Security Committee vowed to uphold the internal and external security of the country and fight out these elements.

The meeting which held in the chair of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the recent attacks on the Pakistan Army post at Bajaur Agency and police officials in Quetta. The committee also reviewed security situation in Balochistan and appreciated the significant improvement brought through the tireless work by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

The committee affirmed that the thrust of federal government policy shall be to collaborate more deeply with the Government of Balochistan for the rapid socio-economic development of the province.

The meeting also developed a consensus on providing increased development resources to Balochistan and adopting a cooperative implementation mechanism for development projects to ensure greater efficiency and transparency so that the benefits of increased development funding flow reach directly to the Baloch people at the very grassroots level.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Interior, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Foreign Affairs, General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chairman JCSC, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Army Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, and senior civil and military officials were in attendance of the meeting which remained in session for well over two hours.

The foreign secretary briefed the meeting on the latest developments in the regional security situation with a focus on the events rapidly unfolding in the Middle East. After detailed discussion, the meeting unanimously agreed that it was of critical importance for Pakistan to play a proactive role in the best interest of the Muslim Ummah while firmly adhering to its bilateral commitments.

The committee was apprised that concrete measures are being undertaken to improve border management to deny movement of miscreants and criminals into Balochistan. The committee was also informed that the federal government was following a policy of allocating amongst its 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 from the perspective of strengthening Pakistan’s energy security, and it was agreed that Pakistan should take advantage of the opportunities available where they are in Pakistan’s best economic and national interest.