Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the public version of Pakistan’s first-ever National Security Policy 2022-2026, on Friday, Jan. 14.
While addressing the launching ceremony of the National Security Policy in Islamabad, the prime minister said that the country is now headed in the right direction. He added that previously only single –dimensional mindset prevailed in Pakistan- “We only need military security”, only because the country had “insecurities” due to various wars with the neighboring country, India.
The policy expresses a citizen-centric framework, placing the country’s financial security at its foundation, unlike the previous one-dimensional security policy which focused only on the military.
“The original version of the policy will remain classified, but a public version of the document will be released,” According to the national public broadcaster for radio in Pakistan.
Paying tribute to the Pak armed forces, the premier said that in spite of the persistent threat of terror to the country Pakistan’s security forces fought against terrorism in a great way, which was commendable.
PM Imran Khan further highlighted that a people of a country are its biggest security, he said, “When the people become stakeholders of the country, it becomes the greatest national security.”
‘Complete civil-military consensus’
National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr. Moeed Yusuf, while speaking to the ceremony said that the NSP has taken a broad view of national security as both conventional and non-conventional issues impacted our security.
“While the National Security Policy is centered around economic security, the geo-strategic and geo-political imperatives also feature prominently to strengthen Pakistan security and standing in the world.” He said, “Our national security thinking seeks to identify means of expanding economic resources such that Pakistan can simultaneously strengthen its traditional and non-traditional security.”
He especially pointed out that the National Security Policy was finalized after “complete civil-military consensus”.
About the NSP:
The preparation of the policy includes multiple sessions with official stakeholders and input from more than 600 individuals, including national security experts, the state-owned news agency told.
The NSP will secure Pakistan’s interest and position globally. A just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions has been declared a vital security interest for the country.
The main themes of the policy are:
- National cohesion
- Securing an economic future
- Defense and territorial integrity
- Internal security
- Foreign policy in a changing world.
Aims and objectives of the National Security Policy are:
- Defense and territorial integrity of Pakistan
- Strengthening space-based technology and its application
- Combating hybrid warfare through enhancing information and cyber security.
- External imbalance
- Socio-economic inequalities
- Geographic disparities between developed and under-developed regions of Pakistan
