Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the public version of the country’s first-ever National Security Policy 2022-2026, saying the nation is now headed in the right direction.
The original version of the policy will remain classified, but a public version of the document will be released.
The premier, addressing the launch ceremony of the policy, said national security was defined “in the right manner” in the new policy, as Pakistan had a one-dimensional thought: “We only need military security.”
The federal cabinet ratified the policy on December 28, 2021, a day after the National Security Committee (NSC) had approved it.
The prime minister said the one-dimensional mindset prevailed in Pakistan as we had “insecurities” due to wars against India in 1948 and 1965.
He also paid tribute to the armed forces and said that despite a persistent threat of terror to the country, the way that Pakistan’s security forces fought against terrorism, was commendable.
PM Imran Khan noted that the biggest security of a state is its people. “When the people become stakeholders of the country, it becomes the greatest national security.”
Speaking about the International Monetary Fund (IMF), PM Imran said that a state’s security is compromised when it has to intermittently seek the support of the money lender.
“We approach IMF under duress as in the end, only IMF is ready to help us and provide the cheapest loans. We have to abide by their conditions, and as a result, impose burden on the people.”
The premier noted that when the country’s economy is weak, it weakens its defence. He said no previous government focused on sustainability.
For his part, National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf said that the NSP has taken a broad view of national security as both traditional and non-traditional 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 highlighted that this was a document finalised after complete civil-military consensus.
The policy emphasises a geo-economic vision to supplement the focus on geostrategy and highlights that the foremost aim of Pakistan’s foreign policy and military capability was peace and stability in the region and beyond, based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, APP reported.
The formulation process of the policy includes multiple consultations with official stakeholders and input from over 600 individuals, including national security experts, the state-run news agency said.
