Why does Pakistan need a National Security Policy?

[MenInG]

Why the fuss about it now? Surely this is something that we must have had before as well?

==

Pakistan Army on Tuesday termed the country’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP) an “important milestone” in meeting emerging challenges in evolving global environment.

“NSP is an important milestone in strengthening National Security of Pakistan. The comprehensive framework, recognises interlinkages between various strands of national security, imperative to meet emerging challenges in evolving global environment through a whole of government effort,” DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar said in a tweet.

The statement of the chief military spokesperson comes hours after the federal cabinet approved the 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 Pakistan’s armed forces will play their due part in achieving the vision laid out in the policy, he added.

Following the approval by the cabinet, National Security Adviser Mooed Yusuf had said in a statement that 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.

The NSP 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.

Briefing the participants on the salient features of the NSP, the NSA had highlighted that Pakistan was shifting to a comprehensive national security framework, emphasising that the ultimate purpose of national security was to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/233603...tant-milestone-in-meeting-emerging-challenges

 

[finalfantasy7]

Why the fuss about it now? Surely this is something that we must have had before as well?

==

Pakistan Army on Tuesday termed the country’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP) an “important milestone” in meeting emerging challenges in evolving global environment.

“NSP is an important milestone in strengthening National Security of Pakistan. The comprehensive framework, recognises interlinkages between various strands of national security, imperative to meet emerging challenges in evolving global environment through a whole of government effort,” DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar said in a tweet.

The statement of the chief military spokesperson comes hours after the federal cabinet approved the 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 Pakistan’s armed forces will play their due part in achieving the vision laid out in the policy, he added.

Following the approval by the cabinet, National Security Adviser Mooed Yusuf had said in a statement that 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.

The NSP 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.

Briefing the participants on the salient features of the NSP, the NSA had highlighted that Pakistan was shifting to a comprehensive national security framework, emphasising that the ultimate purpose of national security was to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/233603...tant-milestone-in-meeting-emerging-challenges

army has to be part of everything, thr only doing this due to wanting more future funding

 

[moghul]

Its like American created department of homeland security after 9-11 , to increase coordination among different department of the government to improve national security.

 

[MenInG]

Senators belonging to the opposition parties on Wednesday resorted to protest over the government’s decision to bypass the parliament in the making of the National Security Policy (NSP) approved earlier this week.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman said the government did not present the draft of the security policy in the house. The PPP leader said the policy that has been approved is nothing but a piece of paper that is contrary to the ground realities.

She further criticised the government over a bill that provides complete autonomy to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) demands. Sherry asked what sort of security is the government talking about when the IMF is dictating the economy and the SBP is being sublet.

The PPP senator’s speech was heckled by a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator, Mohsin Aziz, who advised her to get straight to the point instead of making a speech. Senator Rehman took offence to the remarks and staged a walkout in protest.

As the opposition senators were leaving the upper house, Leader of House Shehzad Wasim said that the Opposition should listen to the government lawmakers as well if they have courage. At this, the opposition lawmakers stopped the walkout and gathered in front of the Senate chairman’s dais to protest.

Senator Wasim said that this was the first time a national policy on security was devised. The PTI senator said the draft of the NSP was tabled in a session of the National Security Committee (NSC) but the Opposition did not attend the session.

Taking a jibe at the opposition leaders, he said the NSC session was not attended by the military officials so the Opposition decided to boycott it. “Had there been uniformed officers there, the opposition leaders would have been first to come,” he quipped.

His remarks prompted a protest by the opposition senators, who raised slogans against the government in front of Sanjrani’s desk. After repeated requests by Chairman Sanjrani, the opposition and government lawmakers went back to their seats.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf announced on Tuesday that the federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP).

“It is a truly historic achievement; a citizen-centric comprehensive Nat[tional] Sec[urity] policy with economic security at the core will now be pursued in earnest,” the NSA said in a tweet.

A day earlier, it was reported that the NSC approved the NSP 2022-2026, which aims at bolstering the country’s economic security and tackling external as well as internal challenges.

'Recruitment of military officers in NADRA'

During the session, the opposition senators also demanded the details of the recruitment of armed force personnel in the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said, “I had questioned how many people are on deputation in NADRA and how many retired military personnel are working there.”

The senator said he was not given a satisfactory response about his query, which had asked about the number of retired military officials reemployed by the authority.

He said as per his information a large number of retired armed forces personnel were reemployed in NADRA despite a rise in unemployment across Pakistan, especially among the fresh graduates.

He said giving highly sought-after jobs to the retired military officials was an injustice to Pakistan’s youth, adding that he should be informed about the number and designations of retired armed forces personnel employed in NADRA.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, while responding to the JI senator, said six serving personnel of the armed forces were employed on deputation. He told the JI senator to submit a fresh question with the details he mentioned.

PML-N Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar added to the same question raised by the JI senator. He sought details of the number of retired military officers employed in NADRA, their appointment date and their qualifications, and responsibilities at the authority.

Tarar said he read in a newspaper that about two dozen retired army officers were appointed as directors and deputy directors in a single day at least two months ago.

Minister Ali Muhammad Khan said that he would respond to this question in detail, saying these people were “employed in accordance with the job specification”.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/233617...sion-in-formation-of-national-security-policy

 

[LaLoco]

Finally!!

Moeed Yusuf and IK has been great in terms of shaping Pakistan's narrative internationally, they haven't been shy of what they wish and hope to achieve for Pakistan despite how difficult the road will be.

This is something that Pakistan needed.

An example, had it been NS government at the time of India's balakot's so called surgical strike then Pakistan probably would have never retaliate, would have accepted whatever narrative shaping was done by an India government, media and international media despite there was no evidence linking Pakistan to it.

The difference was IK government willing to stand up for Pakistan, it was an example of every important entity in Pakistan working in sync to defend Pakistan militarily, narratively, while also hoping and being a voice of reason to find a solution to de-escalate a conflict which was ill-planned by the aggressor for the sake of political reasons.

Pakistan was overdue to have National security policy.

 

[transparent opacity]

NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY OF PAKISTAN — 2021

THE National Security Policy (NSP) of Pakistan has been approved by the Cabinet on 28 December 2021. Earlier, it was presented and debated in a forum of key stakeholders: The National Security Committee (NSC). As per National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf, the National Security Policy of Pakistan primarily aims to strengthen the security apparatus with a clear direction to tackle all internal and external challenges, facing the state and society of Pakistan.

While elaborating the essence of NSP, Moeed Yusuf said that, NSP of Pakistan is formulated on the lines of a ‘comprehensive national security framework’ which takes into consideration all aspects of national security while the “ultimate purpose of national security was to ensure the safety and security of citizens.” Studying the international models of national security policies, the key constituent of national security includes the element of good governance as the predominant principle. Good governance in turn covers; “accountability, transparency, rule of law, participation, responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency.”

Having a comprehensive national security policy after decades is a very well-coming step. Unfortunately, the crisis of national security and national integration in Pakistan have severely affected its political stability, social integration and economic stability in it’s over seven decades of history. Indeed, in the absence of a national unity and integration there remained challenges for the national security of Pakistan. In a way, there is a direct relationship between national integration, national security, political stability and economic prosperity. In the words of scholars, the ‘national security is the ability to preserve a nation’s physical integrity and territory to maintain its economic relations with the rest of the world on reasonable terms to preserve its nature, institution and governance from disruption from outside; and to control its borders.’ Harvard University professor Charles views national security through the lens of national power. He defines the “National Security… is best described as a capacity to control those domestic and foreign conditions that the public opinion of a given community believes necessary to enjoy its own self-determination or autonomy, prosperity and wellbeing.”

The current dominant discourse on national security in Pakistan is based not only upon regional and international realities but also on the issues of identities, democracy and issues related to the social transformation of society. The society of Islamic Republic of Pakistan has fragmentation along ethnic, religious and linguistic lines. The cohesiveness of these entities is crucial to build an integrated nation. Unfortunately, Pakistan has been subverted from within and the nation is struggling for a unified identity to mark its political culture.

Pakistan is an Islamic ideological state and it should safeguard its ideology overtly, for it is the repository of its nationalism, national spirit, interest and power. Any programme for national integration would pre-suppose a graceful acceptance and realistic recognition of the fact that Pakistan is a multi-cultural, lingual and ethno-national nation-state and society. Pakistan’s ethnicity can be transformed into a positive asset. Cultural co-existence resulting from cultural confluence and interaction is the answer for Pakistan. Pakistan has developed a culture of political intolerance and by-passed the true Islamic ideology and as a result, having no de facto national integration. Pakistan should plan the remedial measures so that its national security can be ensured through national integration. True democracy with the involvement of people of Pakistan (rather dynastic base democracy) is the binding force between national security and integration.

Indeed, seven decades is not a less a time needed for nation building and social transformation of Pakistani society. This process of transformation of a nation into a proud and prosperous nation is not a complex assignment. It needs dedication, statesmanship and nationhood where masses are aware and stakeholders of any decision, taken by Parliament. Unfortunately, no serious efforts have been made to formulae policies where political parties and masses were amalgamated with each other. It may take even centuries and heavy cost before attaining such landmarks of national integration. However, the process of nations’ disintegration is swift and simple in nature, needing no expertise. One wrong decision at strategic level can quash a nation’s achievements of hundred years.

The history of Pakistan is full of such irrational decisions which proved against the national interests and national integration. Relying too much on external powers and following their dictates while ignoring the domestic situation and economic status without doing cost-benefit analysis caused huge losses to the state and society of Pakistan. A state’s internal peace and stability is the most important ingredient towards nations’ building. A safe and secure country provides a platform to all the state’s institutions to flourish and perform their functions to their optimum capacity. Safety and security shall also attract the domestic and foreign investors to put their money for good return, ultimately befitting the state and its people.

The factor which serves as a catalyst in the recipe of a nation’s building is the technological advancement through education. The investment in the education sector provides solution to the causes of a state’s failure as reflected in the ignorance theory of nations’ inequality. Low education breeds poor leadership — ill-informed, illiterate, inefficient, ill-advised and ignorant of the worth of the national wealth — ultimately dragging their country to a dismal situation, whereas education produces enlightened and informed leaders, advisors, think-tanks and policymakers, capable of taking the country out of crisis. Through a good governance system, state’s machinery can provide good governance, ensuring the optimum functioning of the state’s institutions, especially those linked with provision of public services.

The wholesome behaviour of Pakistan in the domestic affairs and international arena is the mixture of its economic, political, social and security paradoxes. Therefore, the states’ elite, advisors and analysts should discuss all in sync, rather in isolation. Let’s follow an institution’s progress which leads to sympathetic detonation on other institutions, triggering the process of national unity, integration, prosperity and finally providing guarantees for the national security of Pakistan.


https://pakobserver.net/by-dr-muhammad-khan/

 

[Bewal Express]

So if I understand correctly the opposition were offered a chance to partake in its formulation and refused and are now complaining that the parliament was bypassed. Who are these idiots?

 

[MenInG]

National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf on Friday said that the National Security Policy puts economic security at the core of a comprehensive security framework.

During an in-camera meeting held at Parliament house, Dr Yusuf gave a comprehensive briefing to the Senate Defence Committee, wherein he discussed specific features of the National Security Policy, along with its key components.

The NSA briefed the meeting on the process of policy formulation and its salient features. He said that the process started in 2014 when the National Security Division was created.

Over the last seven years, consultations were held between federal ministries, provincial governments and other stakeholders, he added.

He further said that the government also held consultations with academics, university students, independent policy experts, and other members of civil society.

Dr Yusuf said that the National Security Policy builds on existing governmental policies and serves as an umbrella document to guide future policy direction in areas that impact national security.

He said that it examines opportunities and challenges in a fluid global environment and prioritises policy actions for implementation.

Most importantly, the policy calls for an annual review, or whenever a new government is formed, to ensure continuity and flexibility on national security issues, he added.

He said that the policy has so far identified 232 actionable items.

Recognizing the importance of prosperity for strengthening human security and subsequently traditional security, the NSA said, the policy places economic security at the core of a comprehensive security framework.

The committee welcomed the National Security Policy as a good first step, which builds on the work of previous governments on the matter.

Committee Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said that “given the changing global scenario, national security cannot be defined solely in terms of military might, and this should now revolve around human security challenges such as health, population management, pandemics, climate change, food security, water scarcity and education”.

In reference to conventional security paradigms, he said that Kashmir and the country’s nuclear programme must remain the centre-stage of Pakistan’s core national interest.

He also underlined the need for building a sophisticated, coordinated, professional strategic communication strategy to propagate Pakistan’s narrative to the world, saying that “parliamentary diplomacy should be a key component” in this regard.

Senator Mushahid said that the National Security Policy, which is above partisan politics, must have a broad political consensus through parliament, and institutional decision-making must be the basis of policies pursued for implementation.

The NSA’s briefing was followed by a detailed question and answer session with the committee members.

Senators Faisal Javed, Rukhsana Zuberi, Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimoor, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Hidayatullah, Waleed Iqbal, DefCom Secretary Major (r) Hasnain Haider and Ministry of Defence’s Additional Secretary Rear Admiral Faisal Amin also attended the meeting.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2337713/nsa-says-security-policy-prioritises-economic-prosperity

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2338212/peace-with-india-on-cards-as-new-national-security-policy-set-to-launch-on-friday

Peace with immediate neighbours and economic diplomacy will be the central theme of the country’s foreign policy in the new National Security Policy being launched this Friday.

The original 100-page policy that would be kept classified leaves the door open for trade and business ties with India without final settlement of the longstanding Kashmir dispute provided there is progress in the talks between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, an official in a background briefing to journalists said on Tuesday.

“We are not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours,” the official said, adding if there was a dialogue and progress in it there would be a possibility of normalising trade and commercial ties with India as it had happened in the past.

Relations between Pakistan and India have been at virtually standstill since August 2019 when India revoked the special status of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan, in reaction to the Indian move, downgraded diplomatic ties and suspended bilateral trade with India.

In February last year there were some hopes of a breakthrough when the two sides agreed to restore the ceasefire understanding along the Line of Control (LoC) but the process could not make further headway.

Since the new national security policy seeks a shift in Pakistan’s approach from geo-strategic to geo-economics, there is renewed optimism of a possible thaw with India. “Economic security will be the central theme of the new national security policy,” the official disclosed. Similarly, economic diplomacy and peace with immediate neighbours would be the central theme of the country’s foreign policy.

“But geo-economics does not necessarily mean we overlook our geo-strategic and geo-political interests,” the official stressed, saying the longstanding Kashmir dispute with India has been identified as a ‘vital national policy’ issue for Pakistan.

The official, however, clarified that there were no prospects of rapprochement with India under the current Modi government in New Delhi.

The new National Security Policy will be formally launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, the official added.

According to the official, this would be the first ever codified national security policy that would cover both internal security as well as foreign policy. “Only a part of the national security policy will be made public,” the official clarified, saying such policies often remain classified in other countries too.

The official said though Pakistan did have defence, foreign and internal policies, the new policy would act as “umbrella document”, providing direction for the future. It took seven years to prepare this policy, which was started by then National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz in 2014.

“Inputs were taken from all the federal, provincial institutions as well as military and other departments,” the official maintained.

However, the official when asked said opposition was not taken on board since the policy making was the domain of the executive. Nevertheless, the official admitted that such a document would need a consensus. “For this purpose we are ready to sit with opposition on this,” the official added.

When National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf briefed the parliamentary committee on national security a few weeks ago, the opposition boycotted the session.

When asked to comment on the implementation of the policy, the official said the classified document lays out a complete implementation mechanism. The prime minister will review the progress on a monthly basis.

The policy will be reviewed every year and at the time of change of government, according to the official.

The official said the issue of political stability was also taken care of in the new national security policy.

Pakistan has a checkered history with no elected prime minister has ever been able to complete his/her five-year term.

The new policy also deals with the issue of militant and dissident groups. The policy advocates dialogue with ‘reconcilable elements’. Similarly, the policy has identified “intellectual expression” as key for the progress and prosperity of the society.

On the internal front, the new policy identifies five key areas that include population/migration, health, climate and water, food security and gender mainstreaming.

 

[Major]

Finally!!

Moeed Yusuf and IK has been great in terms of shaping Pakistan's narrative internationally, they haven't been shy of what they wish and hope to achieve for Pakistan despite how difficult the road will be.

This is something that Pakistan needed.

An example, had it been NS government at the time of India's balakot's so called surgical strike then Pakistan probably would have never retaliate, would have accepted whatever narrative shaping was done by an India government, media and international media despite there was no evidence linking Pakistan to it.

The difference was IK government willing to stand up for Pakistan, it was an example of every important entity in Pakistan working in sync to defend Pakistan militarily, narratively, while also hoping and being a voice of reason to find a solution to de-escalate a conflict which was ill-planned by the aggressor for the sake of political reasons.

Pakistan was overdue to have National security policy.

you are misinformed.
When the whole Balakot issue happened, a joint session took place in islamabad. The opposition and govt were on the same chapter with regards to India.

The decision to take the action was taken jointly. The pakistani pm cant act alone, he needs the permission from its national assembly who are the elected officials that decide for us

 

[Syed1]

Finally!!

Moeed Yusuf and IK has been great in terms of shaping Pakistan's narrative internationally, they haven't been shy of what they wish and hope to achieve for Pakistan despite how difficult the road will be.

This is something that Pakistan needed.

An example, had it been NS government at the time of India's balakot's so called surgical strike then Pakistan probably would have never retaliate, would have accepted whatever narrative shaping was done by an India government, media and international media despite there was no evidence linking Pakistan to it.

The difference was IK government willing to stand up for Pakistan, it was an example of every important entity in Pakistan working in sync to defend Pakistan militarily, narratively, while also hoping and being a voice of reason to find a solution to de-escalate a conflict which was ill-planned by the aggressor for the sake of political reasons.

Pakistan was overdue to have National security policy.

Who can forget how Asif Zardari sold out the country on the OBL matter and Raymond Davis.


Then Sharifs and his entire cabinet had work visas for UAE/Saudi while in the government. In any other country that would be a straight disqualification and removal from office. In Pakistan sub chalta hai.


IK and Moeed Yusuf are a God send for Pakistan. Atleast we are sure that they are supremely patriotic and not traitorous thieves.

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: In an attempt to ease down continued tensions with its neighbours, especially with India, Pakistan's Imran Khan-led government is gearing up to unveil its new National Security Policy with an aim to normalise tensions with New Delhi and work towards opening gateways of economic diplomacy.

The National Security Policy, a 100-page document carries with it a new change of policy Islamabad will be looking to adopt towards India, shifting its principal stance over the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir from primary to secondary pending dispute.

As per the new security policy details, Pakistan will be looking forward to having more deliberations and engagements with New Delhi over trade and economic opportunities.

"We are not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours. If there was a dialogue and progress in it, there would be a possibility of normalising trade and commercial ties with India as it had happened in the past," said an official with knowledge of details of the new security policy.

While the country's new security policy showcases a clear shift in its approach from geo-strategic to geo-economics; the change is being seen with optimism over the relationship between the two nuclear-powered arch-rivals.

"Economic security will be the central theme of the new security policy," said the government official

Pakistan and India have been eyeball-to-eyeball over their issues against each other, which have been on a consistent rise in the past.

However, some hopes of normalcy or de-escalation were witnessed when both sides agreed to reinforce a ceasefire understanding along the Line of Control (LoC) during February last year. But the process could not make any further progress and reflect onto other bilateral understandings.

Pakistan and India's relations came to a complete standstill in August 2019, when the Modi-led government abrogated Article 370 and 35A, changing the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

In reaction to the decision, Pakistan suspended all diplomatic ties and stopped bilateral trade with India.

While the new policy will be focused on economic diplomacy with immediate neighbours, the official emphasised that geostrategic importance will not be ignored.

"Geo-economics does not necessarily mean we overlook our geo-strategic and geo-political interests. The longstanding Kashmir dispute with India has been identified as a vital national policy issue for Pakistan," he said.

It was also revealed that all details of the national security policy will not be made public and will be kept classified.

The country's new National Security Policy would act as an umbrella document, to be used as a guideline for Pakistan's foreign, international and defence-related policies.

https://www.timesnownews.com/intern...opening-gateways-of-economic-diplomacy/848731

 

[transparent opacity]

PM Imran launches first-ever National Security Policy

ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday launched the public version of the country's first-ever National Security Policy of Pakistan (NSP) 2022-2026.

"An inclusive development was inevitable for national security," the premier said at the NSP launch ceremony in Islamabad. Federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all services chiefs, diplomats, senior civil and military officers attended the launching ceremony.

“Inclusive growth means not only to uplift the poor people but also the neglected areas… [In such a case] every common man becomes a stakeholder to protect the state. The biggest security is when people stand behind the state for its protection,” PM Imran said.

"Any National Security approach must prioritize national cohesion and the prosperity of people, while guaranteeing fundamental rights and social justice without discrimination."

The premier added that it is necessary to promote delivery-based good governance if the country is to realise the full potential of its citizens.

The prime minister, who earlier signed the document, appreciated the National Security Division for formulating a policy based on consensus and defining national security in the “right manner”.

The policy articulates a citizen-centric framework, placing economic security at its core and seeking a secure and economically resilient Pakistan.

The formulation process of the policy included multiple consultations with official stakeholders and input from over 600 individuals, including national security experts.

"NSP would also help correct the dimension and help the whole government machinery to move in one direction for achieving national security and stability," the premier said.

Imran also spoke highly of the armed forces for protecting the people during the war against terror by rendering immense sacrifices which manifested their bravery as well as professional capability.

"Given the threats we face in the region, and the growing threat of hybrid warfare, they will continue to receive even greater support and importance."

National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, in his remarks, briefly explained the National Security Policy vision and thanked the Prime Minister and all officials for their constant support.

Moeed said that the National Security Policy has taken a broad view of national security as both traditional and non-traditional issues impacted our security.

"While the National Security Policy is centred around economic security, the geo-strategic and geo-political imperatives also feature prominently to strengthen Pakistan security and standing in the world," he remarked.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/233867...RCMHZFeS1HVnpTSTdlOXdJV19VSmJRbzRROVktUFZYUlI

 

[MenInG]

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Friday said that in line with new National Security Policy (NSP) through which Pakistan declared geo-economics as core of its national security doctrine, the government has decided to allow permanent residency scheme for foreign nationals.

“New policy allows foreigners to get permanent resident status in lieu of investment in Pakistan,” Fawad wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the public version of the country's first-ever National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026.

The policy articulates a citizen-centric framework, placing economic security at its core and seeking a secure and economically resilient Pakistan.

The formulation process of the policy included multiple consultations with official stakeholders and input from over 600 individuals, including national security experts.

"NSP would also help correct the dimension and help the whole government machinery to move in one direction for achieving national security and stability," the premier said at the launching ceremony.

PM Imran also spoke highly of the armed forces for protecting the people during the war against terror by rendering immense sacrifices which manifested their bravery as well as professional capability.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also lauded the country's first-ever security policy, saying that it would help ensure the national security.

General Qamar, while informally talking to reporters after today’s ceremony, said that the military security was only one aspect of national security, adding that the formulation of a comprehensive policy covering all aspects of national security is a "great step".

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2338728/foreigners-can-apply-for-permanent-residency-under-nsp-fawad

 

[Bewal Express]

It will be interesting to see if( heaven forbid) the Nooras come back to power and throw this out. We know that they treat the govt as the means to a life of luxury.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday lauded the country’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-26, saying that it would help ensure the national security of the country.

Talking informally to reporters at the launching of the policy General Bajwa stated that the military security was only one aspect of national security. He stressed that the formulation of a comprehensive policy, covering all aspects of national security, was a “great step”.

The army chief said the document would help maintain the national security of Pakistan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the public version of the policy. “An inclusive development was inevitable for national security,” the prime minister said at the NSP launching ceremony in Islamabad.

Federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all services chiefs, diplomats, senior civil and military officers attended the launching ceremony.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2338822/national-security-policy-a-great-step-coas

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan's recently announced national security policy is undoubtedly a "paradigm shift" from the country's traditional military-dominated strategy to economic security, nonetheless, experts say the real challenge will be in putting the ambitious plan into action.

Islamabad announced its first-ever national security policy in January, prioritizing economic security over military security, though the South Asian nuclear state will stick to its traditional military security strategy in the face of rising tensions with longtime rival India.

Said Nazir, a retired officer and Islamabad-based security analyst, told Anadolu Agency that Islamabad, for the first time, is looking for "economic allies" in comparison to its decades-long policy of having military alliances, amid a string of economic compulsions.

"It's a paradigm shift from a traditional security-based policy to an economy-oriented policy," Nazir said, adding, "the old mantra was the security, security hardware, and security allies, but now the focus is on the economy and development projects like BRI (China's Belt and Road Initiative)."

"Now we are looking for economic alliances as the economy has long been our weak point," Nazir insisted, citing the example of the now-defunct Soviet Union, whose ultimate collapse was caused by a weak economy.

China and Pakistan are pursuing a $64 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which is part of Beijing's ambitious BRI – the project aims to connect China's strategically important northwestern Xinjiang province to the Gwadar port in southern Pakistan through a network of roads, railways, and pipelines to transport cargo, oil, and gas – which both US and India oppose for geopolitical reasons.

Syed Abrar Hussain, a former diplomat and vice chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, holds a similar view, saying that the policy seeks to secure Pakistan's interests through political and economic diplomacy.

Real challenge

The newly announced policy, Hussain argued, will provide policymakers with a "sense of direction" in the future. However, the real test will be in its implementation.

"It will certainly provide some sense of direction and clarity of vision to the public in general and policymakers in particular, which was probably lacking in the past," Hussain, who served as Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan from 2014 to 2017, told Anadolu Agency.

Nonetheless, he asserted that the policy's implementation roadmap is lacking. At least it has not been made public, he said, adding that only half of the 110-page policy has been made public, with the rest kept confidential.

Echoing a similar view, Nazir said: "Keeping our track record in view, the real challenge will be the implementation of the policy itself."

The two experts' apprehensions coincide with a "consistent" inconsistency that has prevailed throughout the country's 75-year checkered political history, wherein every new government tried to change the policies of the previous regime.

In 2016 the last government of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif introduced a National Action Plan to combat terrorism in the country following a terrorist attack that killed over 150 people, mostly students, at a military-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Currently, the plan exists only on paper.

"Out of 20 points (of the National Action Plan), 13 were fully addressed, but not implemented in letter and spirit, whereas seven were either partially or little implemented," he asserted, claiming that counter-terrorism institutions such as the National Counter Terrorism Authority and Joint Intelligence Directorate are "either in limbo or nowhere in sight."

Regional security

Another highlight of the new security policy, according to Nazir, is that it is no longer "India-centric but economy-oriented."

However, he said he does not believe that this shift will have a positive impact on the strained relations between the two nuclear neighbors.

Citing the scrapping of Indian-administered Kashmir's decades-long semi-autonomous status and a controversial citizenship law targeting Muslims, Nazir sees remote chances for the resumption of long-stalled talks between the two countries, particularly in the presence of Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

"The two countries are expected to stay locked in an already intensifying arms race as both countries stick to their traditional stances, with Pakistan calling for a reversal of August 2019 action, whereas India is not ready to even talk about it."

J Jeganaathan, head of the National Security Studies Department at the Central University of Jammu, sees no immediate thaw in Islamabad-New Delhi relations.

"I don't think there are chances for the resumption of talks, at least in the immediate future, not just because in the context of this policy, but the sheer reality that Pakistan's stance towards Kashmir appears to remain unchanged," he told Anadolu Agency.

The policy document, he argued, highlighted Islamabad's traditional intention to improve ties with New Delhi by keeping the Kashmir issue at the center of its national security policy, "which is nothing more than a mere reflection of suicidal tendencies."

Products of accidents

Former Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha expressed skepticism about the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan anytime soon.
He observed that the two countries' relationship and talks have been accidental.

"Someone suggests that we talk, and both countries agree. They talk, but nothing comes of it. Then, once again, one country says, we will not talk, and talks are halted for an extended period of time. So, both countries must abandon that tactic or strategy," Sinha, who served as minister of external affairs from 2002 to 2004, told Anadolu Agency.

He was a senior leader of the ruling BJP before resigning in 2018. In March 2021, he joined the All India Trinamool Congress.

"There should be no preconditions from their side and no conditions from our side, and then let's talk."

"They (Pakistan) can't unilaterally decide what the core issue is, and that's where the problem is,"

"I don't think India has ever agreed (on anything). Pakistan keeps talking about J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) as the core issue. There is a composite or comprehensive dialogue framework that has identified eight issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, as well as terrorism, which is a concern for India," Sinha said.

So, he suggested any talks with Pakistan should be based on those eight issues, which include trade and other issues.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/234565...l-security-policy-test-lies-in-implementation