| Imran Khan chairs top security body meeting, directs ‘actions’ necessary to enforce law | Forum notes TLP deliberately employing violence against public property, officials, citizens | PM likely to address nation
State’s restraint should not be seen as a sign of weakness: NSC
ISLAMABAD – Country’s top security body, the National Security Committee, on Friday unanimously resolved to guard sovereignty of the state from all internal and external threats and not to allow banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to challenge its writ in any way.
This consensus was reached at the NSC meeting convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. It was also decided that efforts will continue to resolve the proscribed TLP protest march through negotiations.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan and Naval Chief Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi. Federal Cabinet members, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, Director Generals of the intelligence agencies – the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other senior civil and military officers also attended the meeting.
The NSC received a detailed briefing on the country’s internal security situation and the ongoing agitation by the TLP, said an official statement.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed that no group or entity will be allowed to cause public disruption or use violence to pressure the government.
Taking serious note of the unprovoked violent attacks committed by TLP members, the Committee resolved not to tolerate any further breach of law by this proscribed group.
Endorsing the view of the Committee, the Prime Minister instructed that all measures and actions necessary to enforce the law and protect the interests of the state and public shall be ensured.
The Committee praised the police for their professionalism and restraint despite being directly targeted and suffering casualties, including four martyrs and over four hundred injured. However, it warned that the state’s restraint should not be seen as a sign of weakness.
While emphasizing that the government recognises the right of peaceful protest of all Pakistanis, the Committee members were unanimous that TLP is deliberately employing violence against public property, state officials, and ordinary citizens to create instability in the country and that this shall not be tolerated.
The Committee said all organs of the state stand ready to act as per the law to protect life and property of citizens.
The Prime Minister and Committee members expressed condolences at the loss of lives of policemen and committed to compensating and looking after their families.
Commending the exceptional performance of the law enforcement agencies, the Prime Minister assured that the government will firmly stand behind them as they act to enforce the law and protect the public.
Later, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that the negotiations were underway between the government and the banned TLP to end the march to Islamabad.
Ahmed said Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation today (October 30) about the security situation, adding the premier will present the situation before the nation.
“Our doors for negotiations are still open. We are talking to the detained leader of TLP. Talks between the two sides will resume today (October 29). The talks are being led by me and Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri,” he said.