Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday launched the country’s first-ever National Security Policy which articulates a citizen-centric framework, placing economic security at its core unlike the previous one-dimensional security policy where the focus was on the military.
Unveiling the public version of the policy, which was separately endorsed by the National Security Committee and the Cabinet last month, Prime Minister Khan said that the previous governments had failed to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
The first-of-its kind document puts economic security at its very core.The national security has been clearly explained in the new original 100-page document
The policy had been presented and approved at the 36th meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in December, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and all Services Chiefs.
This is the first time a National Security Policy has been approved in Pakistan and shifting to a Comprehensive National Security Framework the ultimate purpose of it being safety, security and dignity of citizens.
Imran Khan said, “For the first time, the National Security Division has developed a consensus document which defines national security in a proper way”.The five-year-policy document covering a period between 2022-26,spells out the national security vision and guidelines for the attainment of those goals within the stipulated time period.
“We need to realise that our biggest security is when the people become stakeholders and stand up for the country. And this can be achieved. through inclusive growth. We need to develop as a nation, not in sections,” Khan said.
The original version of the policy will remain classified.
The main themes of the National Security Policy are national cohesion, securing an economic future, defence and territorial integrity, internal security, foreign policy in a changing world and human security.
Jammu and Kashmir is treated as the core of the bilateral relationship with India though the new security policy which leaves doors open for trade with New Delhi even without the settlement of the Kashmir issue provided there is headway in bilateral talks.
India has been mentioned 17 times in the National Security Policy.
