Civil-military leaders call for ‘proactive diplomacy’

Express satisfaction over the transformational reforms introduced in Fata, G-B

ISLAMABAD: In view of the recent global and regional developments, the country’s civil and military leadership has agreed on the need for ‘proactive diplomacy’ to protect Pakistan’s interest.

The National Security Committee (NSC) – the country’s highest decision making forum on national security and foreign policy – met on Tuesday for the last time during the current government’s five-year term, which is set to end on Thursday.

Chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the huddle was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, naval chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and air chief Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan.



The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, the National Security Adviser Lt Gen (redt) Nasser Khan Janjua and senior civil and military officials also attended the moot.

An official handout issued by the PM office said the NSC reviewed in detail the recent global and regional developments and their implications for Pakistan.

“The committee observed that while the geopolitical situation was rapidly evolving, Pakistan would continue to make diplomatic and political efforts for peace and stability. For this purpose, the committee emphasised the need for a much more proactive diplomacy,” the statement added.

The NSC condemned the reign of terror unleashed by Indian occupation forces on innocent Kashmiris and resolved that Pakistan would continue to play its role in realising the right of the people of Kashmir to self-determination.

“The committee also condemned the brutal repression of the Palestinians by the Israeli state and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the people of Palestine in their just cause,” it said.

The forum, however, expressed satisfaction over the transformational reforms introduced by the government with regard to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).



It observed that the mainstreaming of Fata, its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the grant of the same rights under the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 to the G-B people as are available to the people in the rest of the country have gone a long way in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of these regions with far-reaching outcomes for national life.

The Ministry of Interior briefed the committee on the basic features of the new visa policy aimed at making Pakistan a tourist and business friendly country.

While appreciating the ministry’s efforts, the NSC observed that it must also be ensured that all supportive systems, databases and verification networks are in place and fully operational.

“In view of this it was agreed that the ‘visa on arrival’ facility should be initiated as a pilot project in the first instance,” the statement added.