–PM urges sustained on-ground efforts to put end to militancy in region
–Imran says NAP agreed upon by all parties, reflection of nation’s will
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan won’t allow militant outfits operating on its soil and to curb the menace of terror outfits, said Prime Minister Imran Khan as a National Internal Security Committee (NISC) moot has agreed on the formation of Expert Working Groups for the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP).
This meeting was chaired by the prime minister at his office and attended by civil and military high-ups, including the cabinet members.
The prime minister said the implementation of NAP was the foremost priority of the present government as it was a reflection of the will of the nation and a consensus document agreed upon by all political parties of the country.
He said the government was committed to removing all impediments towards implementation of the plan in letter and spirit.
The prime minister said Pakistan had suffered immensely, both in terms of human lives as well as material losses, due to the menace of terrorism.
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, he added.
Recounting various legislative and administrative measures taken by the present government in dealing with militancy, combating terror-financing, money laundering and hawala-hundi and so on, the prime minister stressed upon the need for continued and sustained on-ground effort towards taking this struggle to a conclusive end.
The finance minister gave the meeting an update about Financial Action Task Force related matters and meetings held with the Asia Pacific Group (APG).
It may be noted that the APG on Wednesday expressed serious reservations over insufficient physical actions on ground against proscribed organisations (POs) to block flow of funds and activitie.
“The crux of first two days of interactions is that they (APG) consider us very good on paper — legislation, regulation, data collection and notifications — mostly involving the federal government, but highly non-performing at provincial and district levels where such POs and non-profit organisations (NPOs) actually operate,” a media outlet quoted an unnamed senior official as saying.
Interior secretary Azam Suleman Khan apprised the meeting about the progress in implementation of NAP and highlighted the efforts being made in dealing with the issues of cyber security, money laundering, madrassa reforms and addressing various challenges in the way of successful implementation of the plan.
The prime minister commended the efforts of the interior ministry towards ensuring coordination among the relevant agencies and departments in implementation of the NAP.