Implementation of NAP is first priority of government: PM

ISLAMABAD: No militant group would be allowed to operate in Pakistan and use its territory for any militant activity within or outside the country, said Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Thursday.

While chairing the first-ever meeting of the National Internal Security Committee here at the Prime Minister Office, he said the implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) was the foremost priority of the incumbent government as it was reflection of the will of nation and a consensus document agreed upon by all political parties of the country.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood, Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi, director generals of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB), federal secretaries, chief secretaries of the provinces, inspector generals of police, provincial secretaries and senior officials.

The government was committed to remove all impediments towards implementation of the plan in letter and spirit, he added. Pakistan had suffered immensely, both in terms of human lives as well as material losses, due to the menace of terrorism.

The Prime Minister said, “in return of huge sacrifices rendered by the armed forces, intelligence agencies, police, civil armed forces and other law-enforcement agencies, Pakistan had made significant progress towards combating terrorism and ensuring peace.”

The prime minister stressed the need for continued and sustained on-ground efforts towards taking this struggle to a conclusive end of militancy, combating terror-financing, money laundering and hawala-hundi and so on.

Asad Umer, the finance minister gave the meeting an update about Financial Action Task Force related matters and meetings held with the Asia Pacific Group. Secretary of Interior Maj (retd) Azam Suleman Khan apprised the meeting about the progress of implementation of NAP and highlighted the efforts being made in dealing with the issues of cybersecurity, money laundering, madrassa reforms, and addressing various challenges in the way of successful implementation of the plan.

The meeting decided to constitute Expert Working Groups to ensure seamless coordination and implementation of every aspect of the NAP.

The prime minister commended the efforts of the interior ministry towards ensuring coordination among the relevant agencies and departments in implementation of the NAP.