New NSA: Government still weighing options on Nasser Janjua’s role

PM Nawaz to outline new responsibilities in an upcoming meeting

ISLAMABAD: The government is still hedging its bets on whether it should restrict the role of newly appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua to the ongoing peace initiative in Balochistan or give him the broader task of implementing the country’s internal and external security policies.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is scheduled to meet Janjua in the coming days, will take a final decision in this regard and explain his new responsibilities. Though the cabinet division has issued a notification on Janjua's appointment, he will formally take over the charge of NSA after the meeting, said sources.

Janujau, who was head of Southern Command before he retired in the first week of October, has also served as president of the National Defence University. At NSA, Janjua will be elevated to the position of a minister of state.



Sources in the PM House said a majority of the PM’s aides have recommended restricting Janjua’s future role to Balochistan, which includes monitoring of ongoing talks with Baloch insurgents and bringing peace to the troubled province

They said the domain of internal security is likely to remain within the purview of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is working on implementation of the National Action Plan through 20 sub-committees.

They said the presence of apex committees at provincial and federal level has also minimised the role of an NSA. The four provincial apex committees, which are presided over by concerned corps commanders and chief ministers, also look after internal security issues.

Meanwhile, the PM’s Adviser to Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Office and military leadership have already developed a harmony and are jointly working in dealing with contentious and sensitive issues related to security and foreign policy in connection with India, Afghanistan and others.

Talking with The Express Tribune, the PM’s spokesperson Dr Musaddiq Malik confirmed that Janjua’s role and responsibilities were being drafted but said he had no information about it as yet. “However, Janjua, being a retired general, will be a good option to deal with the security issues,” he said.

He said: “The NSA will work as an integrated body which will coordinate with all concerned institutions on security related and other issues,” he said. Janjua has played a great role in restoring peace in Balochistan and the government will use his experience.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st,  2015.