Prime Minister Imran Khan likely to share content of public version of recently announced National Security Policy (NSP) during next week.
Announcing the much awaited comprehensive citizen centric National Security Policy in the country on Tuesday Advisor on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf termed it an umbrella document which is a classified document collectively, however, he disclosed that Prime Minister Imran Khan will release a full public version of the classified document during next week or ten days saying “We will launch it and intend to have intellectual debate on the NSP and get complete input.
The federal cabinet approved the first ever comprehensive and consensus National Security Policy of the country with special emphasis on economic strategy.
Briefing the media persons about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet on Tuesday, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf said that it is an umbrella document, which entails human security as well as population, health, climate, water, food, energy, and gender security.
He said education has been clubbed with the economy. Dr Moeed said the process of formulating the NSP had begun in 2014 and this document has been approved after getting input from all civil and military institutions, including the private sector. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch the public version of NSP in the coming days.
Briefing about other decisions of the cabinet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said the cabinet directed the Punjab government to launch a massive action against smuggling and hoarding of urea to end artificial shortage of the commodity. He expressed the belief that the situation will improve in the next 48 hours.
The minister said the cabinet was briefed about the production of urea in the country. He said the government provided gas to the fertilizer manufacturing plants to fulfil requirements of urea and other fertilizers in the country.
He said that urea is being sold at the rate of Rs1, d700 to Rs1,900 per bag, whereas its price in the international market is Rs10,000, which prompted profiteers to indulge in hoarding and smuggling to make money. He said, “We have sufficient production and stock of urea at affordable rates.”
Fawad said the cabinet also approved publication of the tax directory of parliamentarians for the year 2019 to ensure transparency as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said Ex-post facto sanction was granted to a water project for the people of Gwadar. He said the cabinet approved sending of Covid-19 related medical equipment worth 23 million rupees to Cuba.
The minister said the meeting approved constitution of a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the murder case of Nazim Jokhiyo. He said that efforts were made to compromise Jokhio’s murder investigation which was unacceptable. Hence, the federal cabinet has decided to form a JIT on the matter, which would include officials from police, intelligence agencies and civil and armed forces.
Jokhio was allegedly tortured to death by PPP MPA Jam Awais in Malir’s Memon Goth for preventing the MPA’s foreign guests from hunting the protected Houbara Bustard by posting their videos on social media.
The information minister further said that the current government will have former prime minister Nawaz Sharif extradited from the UK as the “accused will not return by himself”. He added, “Talks are being held with the UK authorities for the extradition of the accused.” He further stated that talks of overthrowing the government have taken place before and are still ongoing. Referring to the opposition’s alliance – Pakistan Democratic Movement – Fawad asked, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also announced a march, but what happened?”
“Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari have harmed the country and because of that the incumbent government had to approach the IMF. The Sicilian Mafia was exposed in the Rana Shamim case,” he added.
Nepra gets Asim Khichi as executive member
Fawad apprised the cabinet also approved the appointment of senior officer of the Information Ministry Asim Khichi as executive member of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Nepra). Asim Khichi is currently serving as Director General of Radio Pakistan.
