ISLAMABAD - Civil and military leadership has condemned Sunday’s attack on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta in which nine people were killed and scores injured, terming the attack “against the fundamental tenets of peace and tolerance taught by Islam”.

The National Security Committee (NSC), which met in Islamabad on Monday for its sixteenth meeting, also declared unacceptable US President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to shift its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, it said in a press release.

The statement also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment towards the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the meeting, which was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and National Security Adviser Lieutenant General (retired) Nasser Janjua along with senior military and civil leadership.

Foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua also briefed the NSC on the OIC Extraordinary Summit and Council of Foreign Ministers Meetings on Al Quds Al-Sharif held in Istanbul on December 13 in response to the United States decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The situation in the Middle East was also discussed as well as Pakistan’s potential role in the situation. “After thorough analysis, the meeting reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to work for the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah, for which it shall intensify its efforts in view of the growing challenges,” the statement said. Secretary Interior Arshad Mirza briefed the committee members on the National Action Plan (NAP), stating that there has been significant progress in the execution of NAP.

During the meeting, it was agreed by committee members that there is a need to increase focus on policy and institutional amendments that must be catered.

“Pakistan is strongly resolved to fulfil the duties of the financial task force,” the committee members declared, adding that Pakistan is a responsible member of the international fraternity.

Directives issued by the committee include the expedition of the national security policy, with the help of all stakeholders.