Pakistan approves first national security policy document

[GiG]

Pakistan approves first national security policy document
Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has finalised Pakistan’s first-ever national security policy document on Monday.
The members of the National Security Council (NSC), the country’s top security body headed by the prime minister, approved the ‘National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026’ during the meeting.
National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf presented the document at the 36th meeting of NSC attended by top civilian and military leadership. Briefing the participants, including PM Khan and three services chiefs, Yusuf said that Pakistan was shifting to a comprehensive national security framework in which ensuring the safety, security, and dignity of the citizen of Pakistan was the ultimate purpose of national security.
“To ensure this citizen-centric approach to security, the NSP has put economic security at the core. A stronger economy would create additional resources that would, in turn, be judiciously distributed to further bolster military and human security” Dr Yusuf said.
Historic development for Pakistan
PM Imran Khan described the formulation of national security policy and its approval “a historic moment” for Pakistan. “The policy must guide all organs of the government to ensure that their efforts are synchronised.” He also instructed the national security adviser to present an implementation progress report to the NSC every month. Khan also emphasised that “the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens” and reiterated that “Pakistan is well prepared to meet any internal and external threats.”

Dynamic document
The NSC participants were informed that the crucial document had been prepared through a “whole-of-government effort over the last seven years, and included extensive consultations among federal government institutions, with all provinces, and the academia and private sector.”
A detailed implementation framework has been formulated under which the National Security Division would review the progress of the document in collaboration with relevant ministries and departments.
The NSP would be a dynamic document which “will be reviewed each year and on the transition of government to help keep the National Security Policy abreast with policy priorities in a fast-changing global environment,” the NSA earlier said.
The document would now be presented to the cabinet for final approval. A public version of the document will be released in due course, the PM Office said.

Pakistan approves first national security policy document

Khan terms national security policy formulation a ‘historic moment’

gulfnews.com

 

[SD 10]

What is it ? In simpler words?

 

[blain2]

Had the National Action Plan (NAP) been enacted and implemented, half of the National Security Policy goals would have been achieved as it caters to strengthening internal security. That would have led to opening up the country to more foreign investment/FDI etc. which would result in better national security through a higher performing economy and a myriad of other benefits.

The problem, as always, is not a shortage of thought articulation (NSA Moeed Yusuf is the right person for it), rather the implementation. Everyone in Pakistan wax eloquently about what needs to get done but nobody gets it done. So talk is cheap, please put your money where your mouth is IK/PTI.

 

[Titanium100]

This is good approach.. Citizen centric policy could enhence Pakistan's core economical and defense needs

 

[khail007]

In past, there was a national security plan and all politico 'haram-khors' were those who undermined it with nil compliance or only partial compliance where it suits them most.
Pakistan needs some very active revolution as was in France to use guillotines for cleanliness. Nothing less than that will work here citing the present drama of the government, opposition, and judiciary.
Today 'Bhuttos' are celebrating in 'Garhi Khuda Buksh'; now is the turn for the celebration by 'Sharifs' in 'Jati Umrah'.

 

[GiG]

What is it ? In simpler words?

as per the info, the national security policy is citizen-centric and economic security is the top priority, so we are moving towards geo-economics officially.

 

[CriticalThought]

Can somebody post a link to this document? Or are we supposed to feel good based on the news of this document?

 

[Ali_Baba]

Can somebody post a link to this document? Or are we supposed to feel good based on the news of this document?

Not published yet - will be made available soon as per news article.

 

[Flash_Ninja]

Had the National Action Plan (NAP) been enacted and implemented, half of the National Security Policy goals would have been achieved as it caters to strengthening internal security. That would have led to opening up the country to more foreign investment/FDI etc. which would result in better national security through a higher performing economy and a myriad of other benefits.

The problem, as always, is not a shortage of thought articulation (NSA Moeed Yusuf is the right person for it), rather the implementation. Everyone in Pakistan wax eloquently about what needs to get done but nobody gets it done. So talk is cheap, please put your money where your mouth is IK/PTI.

I thought the NAP was enacted. The problem was the judiciary, media, and political opposition constantly undermining or reversing every single action being taken under it.

Even today a lot of great policies like the Karachi water project, or the crackdown on corruption are dead in the water because of these three.

 

[TheSnakeEatingMarkhur]

Pakistan approves first national security policy document
Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has finalised Pakistan’s first-ever national security policy document on Monday.
The members of the National Security Council (NSC), the country’s top security body headed by the prime minister, approved the ‘National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026’ during the meeting.
National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf presented the document at the 36th meeting of NSC attended by top civilian and military leadership. Briefing the participants, including PM Khan and three services chiefs, Yusuf said that Pakistan was shifting to a comprehensive national security framework in which ensuring the safety, security, and dignity of the citizen of Pakistan was the ultimate purpose of national security.
“To ensure this citizen-centric approach to security, the NSP has put economic security at the core. A stronger economy would create additional resources that would, in turn, be judiciously distributed to further bolster military and human security” Dr Yusuf said.
Historic development for Pakistan
PM Imran Khan described the formulation of national security policy and its approval “a historic moment” for Pakistan. “The policy must guide all organs of the government to ensure that their efforts are synchronised.” He also instructed the national security adviser to present an implementation progress report to the NSC every month. Khan also emphasised that “the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens” and reiterated that “Pakistan is well prepared to meet any internal and external threats.”

Dynamic document
The NSC participants were informed that the crucial document had been prepared through a “whole-of-government effort over the last seven years, and included extensive consultations among federal government institutions, with all provinces, and the academia and private sector.”
A detailed implementation framework has been formulated under which the National Security Division would review the progress of the document in collaboration with relevant ministries and departments.
The NSP would be a dynamic document which “will be reviewed each year and on the transition of government to help keep the National Security Policy abreast with policy priorities in a fast-changing global environment,” the NSA earlier said.
The document would now be presented to the cabinet for final approval. A public version of the document will be released in due course, the PM Office said.

Pakistan approves first national security policy document

Khan terms national security policy formulation a ‘historic moment’

gulfnews.com

Mubarak ho.

 

[blain2]

I thought the NAP was enacted. The problem was the judiciary, media, and political opposition constantly undermining or reversing every single action being taken under it.

Even today a lot of great policies like the Karachi water project, or the crackdown on corruption are dead in the water because of these three.

Perhaps my emphasis should have been on "implementation" rather than the plan being enacted. As most of Pakistanis have become accustomed to, plenty gets enacted, but rarely is it properly implemented. We have laws for everything. Even this new policy, Moeed Yousuf was stating it needs to get "implemented" since it has been accepted by the NSC and the Cabinet.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

Perhaps my emphasis should have been on "implementation" rather than the plan being enacted. As most of Pakistanis have become accustomed to, plenty gets enacted, but rarely is it properly implemented. We have laws for everything. Even this new policy, Moeed Yousuf was stating it needs to get "implemented" since it has been accepted by the NSC and the Cabinet.

I think the issue used to be the informal or undocumented policy followed by the civil and military side, which used to be poles apart. This is now the first ever formal policy approved for all sections of government- so all civil departments and military are bound to follow it and implement it. The lack of implementation may have been due to lack of an agreed policy it self with input from everyone ( and hence we used to hear, and still hear “ oh xyz wanted to do this but Raheel Sharif or Bajwa then did this blah blah). So instead of just playing to galary the matra of civil supremacy, like some so called democratic leaders with corruption charges, IK has actually walked the talk here and formed a unified policy which has ownership from every one. Now I know the usual pessimism and narcissism will still be directed at me on speculative and flimsy grounds “oh you are so naive, Bajwa controls everything , He tied IK to a pole and forcefully made him sign, blah blah”.

Anyway I worry what will happen to the political narrative of certain party of a deal with a certain leader on medical vacation. Gai bhens pani mai?

 

[Bilal9]

Perhaps my emphasis should have been on "implementation" rather than the plan being enacted. As most of Pakistanis have become accustomed to, plenty gets enacted, but rarely is it properly implemented. We have laws for everything. Even this new policy, Moeed Yousuf was stating it needs to get "implemented" since it has been accepted by the NSC and the Cabinet.

In every large national/social sphere in every country, there are plenty of laws and policy in the books.

The problem is always in the real-world application of policy and more specifically, implementation of procedures.

To implement, one has to measure beginning-state (commencement situation) of plan, end-state of plan and a given (estimated) timeframe of completion so that progress against specific progress milestones can be measured so extra resource, time and money can be allocated to complete the project on time.

You know where I got all this? From my memories of a basic college level Project Management PMP certification book in the US from a decade ago, which outlines these basic principles for every project, even as minor as making a Tin-shed.

The reason even basic projects run smoothly in the West (forget large projects like implementing a National Security Policy for a country like Pakistan or Bangladesh) is that there is discipline, an earnest desire to do better and accountability. The last word is extremely important.

There has to be repercussions and accountability for failure.

If no one is responsible or accountable then we are all screwed and can spend millions or even Billions of dollars and still have less than optimal outcome, with cost and schedule over-runs costing millions.

These are the reasons why we are as f*cked today in South Asia as we see now.

Bangladesh is no better than any other country about lack of accountability.

But Pakistan I believe did one better than Bangladesh. I don't think we have a National Security Policy.

 

[HRK]

Can somebody post a link to this document? Or are we supposed to feel good based on the news of this document?

its just got approved by cabinet yesterday, earlier it was approved by NSC; as per NSA tweet this Document for public would be release soon may be in 1 or 2 days.

 

[Meengla]

In every large national/social sphere in every country, there are plenty of laws and policy in the books.
There has to be repercussions and accountability for failure.
If no one is responsible or accountable then we are all screwed and can spend millions or even Billions of dollars and still have less than optimal outcome, with cost and schedule over-runs costing millions. These are the reasons why we are as f*cked today in South Asia as we see now. Bangladesh is no better than any other country about lack of accountability.

It's a story throughout the poor countries. Living in America exposes you to highly educated people from the world if you happen to have such environment, especially in the academia. In my circle, I had friends from Serbia, Kosovo, Honduras, Greece and some other countries and the common theme is 'corruption' of the ruling elites and lack of accountability.
Pakistanis have just perfected the art of breast-beating about everything as if Pakistan is the most corrupt and the most dysfunctional country in the world. No good deed goes unpunished in Pakistan. The sky is always falling.
Coming back to the topic: This is a very good policy document. Now there is a written framework in place. Just like the Constitution of Pakistan is in place. Some day implementation will be more of laws because of some good leaders or bureaucrats or judges or generals... there will be legal cover for the required actions for those people to take.