Nation stands in solidarity with Afghans: NSC

ISLAMABAD: The 18th meeting of national security committee (NSC) was chaired by prime minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday, the NSC reviewed the regional security situation, strongly condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Kabul, observed that the government and people of Pakistan shared the shock, grief and sorrow of their Afghan brethren and stood by their side in complete solidarity.

According to an official statement, NSC emphasised that the people of Pakistan understand the pain and anguish of the people of Afghanistan very well since they are themselves the greatest victims of terrorism.

NSC observed that the reaction of Afghan government was based on misconceptions created by certain foreign elements.

The NSC expressed resolve to forge ahead, despite difficulties, with positive engagement with Afghanistan, including the already planned visit of Pakistani delegation to Kabul on February 3rd, 2018, for discussions on Pakistan’s proposed “Afghanistan-Pakistan action plan for solidarity.”

NSC expressed satisfaction on the progress made with regards to border controls with Afghanistan and noted that the Afghan government should support the fencing of Pakistan-Afghanistan border as being in the interest of both countries.

The NSC reviewed actions taken by the government of Pakistan and provincial governments to fulfil the country’s international responsibilities under financial action task force (FATF) framework.

NSC expressed satisfaction over the objectives achieved so far and directed the concerned ministries to complete the few outstanding actions at the earliest.

The NSC directed that achievements made by Pakistan in fulfilling its international obligations should be fully shared with the FATF and expressed its hope that the FATF will not be politicised by a few countries.

Finally, the NSC reaffirmed Pakistan’s position of continuing to play its role for regional stability and peace.

Foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, interior minister Ahsan Iqbal, joint chiefs of staff committee chairman general Zubair Mehmood Hayat, chief of army staff (COAS) general Qamar Javed Bajwa, chief of naval staff admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, chief of air staff air chief marshall Sohail Aman, national security advisor (NSA) lieutenant general (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and senior civilian, military officials attended the meeting.