ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf on Tuesday announced that the federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP), which was green-lighted by the National Security Committee a day earlier.
“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,” the security adviser wrote on his official Twitter handle today.
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
According to the adviser, this umbrella document will, over time, help guide sectoral policies for the fulfilment of our national security objectives.
“I would like to thank the civil and military leadership for all their support and input. The Policy would not have seen the light of day without the Prime Minister’s constant leadership and encouragement,” said the NSA.
4/5. I am extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated team at our @SPPCPakistan and would like to congratulate them and the entire team of the National Security Division for their hardwork and dedication over the years in bringing the policy to fruition.
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) December 28, 2021
Yusuf further said that he was extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated team at the Strategic Policy Planning Cell (SSPC). “I would like to congratulate them and the entire team of the National Security Division for their hardwork and dedication over the years in bringing the policy to fruition,” he added.
The NSA also informed that a plan for the policy’s implementation has also been developed. “A public version of the NSP document will be launched by the PM and released in due course,” added Yusuf.
5/5. The success of the policy will lie in its implementation for which a plan has been developed.
A public version of the NSP document will be launched by the PM and released in due course.
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) December 28, 2021
The National Security Policy
A day earlier, it was reported that the National Security Council (NSC) approved Pakistan’s first-ever NSP 2022-2026, which aims at bolstering the country’s economic security and tackling external as well as internal challenges.
The security policy was unveiled at the 36th NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The meeting was attended by federal ministers for foreign affairs, defence, information and broadcasting, interior, finance, human rights, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, all services chiefs, national security adviser and senior civil and military officers.
The five-year policy document covering the period 2022-26 is being flaunted by the government as the first-ever strategy paper of its kind that sets out the state’s national security vision and guidelines for the attainment of those goals. It will guide the government’s foreign, defence and economic policies and decision-making.
It reportedly seeks to leverage the symbiotic linkages among human security, economic security and military security with safety and prosperity of citizens being at the centre of the whole-of-government approach.
It covers both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including economy, food, water, military security, terrorism, population growth and dealings with the external world, especially major powers.
The document places special emphasis on economic diplomacy as the focus of Pakistan’s foreign policy aimed at avoiding being sucked into bloc politics in a world order under transition.
