ISLAMABAD– Top civil and military leaders expressed their resolve on Friday that conspiracies aimed at dividing the country and causing unrest would not be allowed to succeed.
The National Security Committee (NSC) meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the chief ministers of the four provinces, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and other officials were present. Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza, other service chiefs, ISI DG Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum, and leaders of other intelligence agencies were also present.
The participants in the huddle pledged not to succumb to any pressure on national issues, adding that there would be no compromise on internal and external security. They emphasised on collective efforts for national security and stability.
The civil-military leadership also expressed satisfaction over the ongoing action against militants in several parts of the country after security officials gave a briefing in this regard. They paid tribute to the soldiers martyred in the terrorist activities.
The participants also appreciated security forces over the arrest of the head of a banned militant group in Balochistan.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar apprised the meeting of the economic situation of the country and ongoing talks with the friendly states and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Pakistan’s loan programme is yet to materialise months after it imposed additional taxes and increased energy prices and allowed free floating of currency to meet conditions laid forth by the IMF. The nation has missed multiple deadlines to revive the deal. The Washington-based lender has asked the cash-strapped Pakistan to seek commitments for new loans from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before it releases the funds.
However, hopes have rekindled for receiving the much-needed loan tranche stalled since last year as the global lender confirmed that it had received assurance from Saudi Arabia for providing new loan worth $2 billion to Pakistan.
Pakistan is now looking towards the UAE to secure another $1 billion deposit in order to reach the staff-level agreement (SLA) with the IMF.
