ISLAMABAD: The Central Apex Committee has agreed that the elimination of terrorism, economic revival, and political stability were interlinked.

“Since Pakistan cannot afford internal instability, national solidarity, unity and collective efforts were the need of the hour. In order to achieve these targets, national consensus should be evolved and hurdles in its way should be removed,” the apex committee, which met on Friday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, said in a statement.

The recent terrorist incidents – including Peshawar Police Lines Mosque on January 30, 2023 and Karachi Police Chief Office on February 19 – and the country’s situation were reviewed in detail during the meeting.

Representatives of intelligence agencies briefed the participants on the overall security situation and on the action taken against the terrorists.

Inspector General of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon informed about the details of the attack on the office of the Karachi police chief.

Participants praised all the law enforcement agencies – including armed forces, Rangers, Frontier Corps, Counter Terrorism Department, and police – for showing “exemplary bravery and courage” against terrorism and paid tribute to the martyred officers and jawans.

The committee considered the issue of non-availability of funds approved in the past for Karachi police and the security. It directed that all obstacles in the ways of projects concerning police, counter terrorism department and security should be removed without any further delay.

“Protection of national security and life and property of people was the basic constitutional responsibility which should be performed with national passion, sincerity, focus and the best of abilities,” it said.

Participants of the committee said that the federal government would extend “full cooperation” and assistance to the provinces for fulfilling the responsibility of ensuring peace.

It considered the role of media especially social media during the incidents of terrorism and operation of security forces.

Officials briefed that during operation of the security forces such information was also telecast from which terrorists and their facilitators “could have benefited and could have impacted the security operation,” putting the lives of many in danger.

It was suggested that guidance should be taken from the SOPs and regulations concerning cyber space and terrorism in other countries of the world.

In this context, with the consultation of media houses and all relevant stakeholders a “suitable procedure” should be followed so that in an emergency situation “rumours, misleading information and fear” among public could be stopped and there should be no difficulties in carrying out the security operation.

Members also agreed that in case of an emergency situation, a focal person should be given the responsibility to disseminate facts to media and the public.

They also reviewed progress on the implementation of the National Action Plan and the decisions taken in the last meeting of the apex committee.

A committee headed by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar informed about the progress made in the investigation against terrorists, and in taking measures for making the process of prosecution and sentencing effective.

The meeting was attended by the chief of army staff, federal ministers including ministers for finance, interior, information and broadcasting, law and justice, chief ministers of all provinces including Gilgit Baltistan, prime minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir, heads of civil and military intelligence agencies, secretary interior, all chief secretaries, inspectors general of police of all provinces including AJK, GB and Islamabad and coordinator of National Counter-terrorism Authority (NACTA).

COAS, ISI chief call on PM to discuss ‘counter terrorism’

The army chief and spy chief called on the prime minister on Friday to discuss the ongoing counterterrorism operation in the country.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir and ISI chief Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum also discussed the security situation of the country with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Political stability

No one would come for Pakistan’s help if the country did not put its house in order, Prime Minister Shehbaz said as he stressed the need for having political stability in the country to get it out of the financial and security challenges.

“We must rise above our likes and dislikes and we should exploit all our resources for this country,” he said while addressing the review meeting of the Apex Committee. “This is the only way to save Pakistan, make Pakistan, and make it a great nation.”

The review meeting was held against the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks in the country by outlawed groups in Karachi and Peshawar. Pakistan has seen an uptick in terrorist attacks after the end of the shaky ceasefire agreed with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban in November last year.

The crumbling economy is another challenge for the South Asian country amidst the security challenges. The country desperately needs inflows from friendly countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to keep its economy afloat.

PM Shehbaz said that the matters with the international lender would be settled within a week or 10 days. This comes after the country had to accept and approve “severe conditions” set by the IMF for the $1.1 billion of funding under the stalled fund programme.

“Pakistan comes first,” he said while speaking about the reasons for such decisions. Speaking in the same vein, he added that his political partners from the coalition government has put their “politics on stake” to “save the nation”.

Without naming China, he thanked the neighbouring country for approving $700 million worth of credit facility for Pakistan despite that the IMF has not released the tranche.

But, he called for political stability to boost the economy.

The prime minister said the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) had become a “dormant institution”.

He added that the previous PML-N government had invited stakeholders for a “comprehensive discussion” which led to the National Action Plan’s formation after the APS attack.

Though he did not name the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in his address, the premier slammed the Imran Khan-led party for always taking to the streets for matters that could be resolved through dialogue.

“When the Peshawar incident occurred I invited all political stakeholders. But despite that, they [PTI] did not consider it appropriate to attend the meeting and still they are trying to resolve matters on the streets. Unfortunately, one section still wants to go on the streets and tries its best to spoil the matters,” PM Shehbaz said.

He went on to add that it would be better for the country to understand the severity of the situation “as early as they can”.

“If we want Pakistan to lead towards peace and make Pakistan an ‘economic tiger’ then we have to keep our ego, and personal likeness and dislikeness aside,” he added.