ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) vowed on Friday to respond to militants challenging the writ of the state with "full force," describing them as the "enemies of Pakistan."
The decision was made at a meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of the country's top body on foreign policy and national security to formulate a strategy to deal with a spike in militant attacks.
The South Asian country has witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks in 2022 after outlawed militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, ramped up attacks in remote parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
“The meeting expressed determination that terrorists are enemies of Pakistan,” a statement issued by PM Sharif's office said after the meeting, which had top civilian and military leaders, including services chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies, in presence.
“The entire nation is united on one narrative against terrorism and terrorists. Those who challenge Pakistan will get a full force response.”
During the meeting, intelligence chiefs briefed the participants about law and order, recent wave of militant attacks and ways to deal with it.
“The meeting expressed an unequivocal opinion that Pakistan’s national interests shall not be compromised and no one shall be allowed to harm the country’s national security,” the statement read.
Pakistan’s basic interests of survival, security and development would be protected with “great courage, consistency, and steadfastness,” the NSC resolved.
The participants paid tribute to the sacrifices of the security personnel killed in militant attacks and extended condolences to their families.
Pakistan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar briefed the meeting on the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s relationship with the interim government in Kabul, while Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar briefed the forum on the overall economic situation, challenges and the measures taken so far to fix it.
The NSC will again meet on January 2 to take more decisions in light of various proposals presented at Friday's meeting.
