SAPM revives Advisory Board of National Security Committee

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf has revived the Advisory Board of the National Security Committee (NSC) and chaired a meeting for the first time since 2018.

NSC is the apex decision-making body on national security matters. The Advisory Board is a sub organ comprising leading think tanks who present recommendations for consideration.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) of the NDU, Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Center for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) and senior officials of National Security Division.

During the meeting, the SAPM announced the launching of an innovative portal to connect think tanks/academia with policymakers. He said that the portal would help integrate think tanks across the country and enable them to contribute constructively towards the policymaking process.

Dr Yusuf said “this will bridge the gap between the academia and the government, which was not done in the past, and will help the government make better policies”. He said the portal is the first of its kind anywhere in the region and speaks to the government’s commitment towards inclusive policymaking.

The special assistant responded to the thorough exchange of views on the important role of various think tanks in the country in conducting research on the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan. The participants noted that there existed over 100 think tanks, but not enough has been done to channelize their input.

Dr Yusuf said that the concept of national security has evolved over time from its traditional connotation of border security to also encompass concepts such as human security, welfare of the common citizen, economic security and environmental security.

He said the government had adopted a multi-faceted approach to cater to all the facets of the national security. “While the Western view has always unfairly cast Pakistan in a negative light, the reality is that all stakeholders are working together day and night to achieve true security for each and every common citizen. That is the target set by the prime minister,” he said.

The National Security Division is currently spearheading a number of key strategic initiatives under the PM’s guidance, including finalizing a comprehensive national security policy document and document, formulating the Economic Diplomacy strategy, and playing a critical role in promoting Pakistan’s Kashmir policy in coollaboration with all stakeholders.