NSC meeting today under PM to review law and order situation

Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of the National Security Council to review the peace and security situation in the country, sources familiar with the matter said.

The prime minister, along with his high-level delegation of ministers and advisers, returned to Pakistan on Monday from his first official trip to China since assuming charge as the country’s premier.

He will take the National Security Council meeting into confidence regarding his China visit, where he held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The meeting will also discuss the prevailing security situation in the country following a Supreme Court verdict acquitting Asia Bibi – a Christian woman who had been on death row for eight years in a blasphemy case.

The Supreme Court on October 31 ordered Bibi’s immediate release stating that blasphemy charges could not be proven against her. The judgement triggered countrywide protests by religious parties, bringing the country to a standstill for three days before the government reached a deal with the demonstrators on Friday.

The meeting is also expected to discuss the Pak-Afghan border security situation, among other matters.

Top military leadership, including Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, will attend the meeting.