PM seeks further promptness in NAP implementation

Chairs meeting of civil and military leadership; says enemies of peace will not be allowed to disrupt development process

ISLAMABAD: While expressing satisfaction over the progress made by various provincial and federal agencies so far on the National Action Plan (NAP), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to further expedite the pace of its implementation.

The prime minister was chairing a high-level meeting of civil and military leadership on security at the Prime Minister’s House. The meeting that was fifth in about two weeks in the wake of the Quetta bomb blast that killed more than 70 people, including 46 lawyers, reviewed the progress on the implementation of NAP. The meeting had added significance in the backdrop of developments with regard to the situation in Karachi.

Lieutenant General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser (NSA) and Convener of Implementation and Review Committee (IRC) of NAP, made a presentation detailing the implementation status of various components of the Action Plan. The meeting resolved that eradication of the menace of terrorism is neither a choice nor an option, but an imperative for the country’s existence and survival. The meeting reviewed various laws governing the anti-terrorism efforts as discussion also took place on ways and means to make the laws more effective.

The report presented to the prime minister by the Fata Reforms Committee also came under discussion and it was decided that the report shall be made public to elicit further debate and discussion towards developing a national consensus on the committee’s recommendations. It would make the report more comprehensive since input by the public opinion would become part of it.

The meeting was also attended by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Secretary to PM Fawad Hasan Fawad, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, DG Intelligence Bureau (IB) Aftab Sultan, DGMI Major General Nadeem Zaki Manj and other senior government officials.

The foreign secretary, who returned from his important trip to China earlier in the day, briefed the prime minister about his visit where he also had one-to-one meeting with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had a meeting with the prime minister on the conclusion of the huddle. He reportedly sought guidance from the premier about his dash to Karachi where he had interaction with different senior officials of the province about the security subjects. He drove straight to the airport for Karachi, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, head of Dawoodi Bohra community, called on Nawaz Sharif.Welcoming Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the prime minister said his visit to Pakistan will help in promoting social and cultural relations amongst the people. He highlighted the role of Ulema and religious scholars for achieving interfaith harmony amongst the followers of various sects. ‘‘We need to promote the values of tolerance, patience and mutual respect to achieve our shared objective of peaceful co-existence and religious harmony,” he underlined.

The premier said the Bohra community living in Pakistan has contributed immensely towards national development, especially in enhancement of trade activities in the country. He said that their contributions in the social sector, including education and health, are also commendable.

Mufaddal Saifuddin said that the Bohra community living in Pakistan has proven itself to be an asset by contributing towards the progress and development. He complimented the prime minister for the government’s untiring efforts which have resulted in an improved economic situation in Pakistan. He also lauded the government for bringing peace and stability to the country. “Our community will work along with fellow Pakistanis with renewed vigour and commitment to serve the country,” he added.

Chief Minister Balochistan Sardar Sanaullah Zehri also called on the prime minister and apprised him of the overall security situation in the province, particularly the steps taken by the provincial government for maintaining peace and security of the civilians after the Quetta terrorist attack. He also briefed the PM on the pace of ongoing development projects and welfare schemes in different parts of Balochistan.

The PM said that Balochistan was very close to his heart. “Peace in Balochistan has been restored as a result of countless sacrifices of military and civilian security personnel and peace-loving people of the province. We will never allow the enemies of peace and development to disrupt the process of progress and development in the province,” he maintained.

The premier said that the government was determined to carry out massive infrastructure development and welfare projects in the province for improving the standard of living of the residents of Balochistan. “Balochistan would reap maximum benefits of the CPEC,” he added.