Afghanistan urged to stop infiltration of militants from their side of border

• Abbasi chairs first NSC meeting attended by top brass of civil, military;
• Unprovoked firing across Line of Control by Indian forces condemned
• Khaqan briefed on CDA affairs; Sardar Yousaf calls on Prime Minister; 
• Govt initiates major policy reforms to facilitate businessmen, says PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) and reviewed security situation along the Line of Control (LoC).

This was the first meeting of the country's top security body headed by the new prime minister who replaced Nawaz Sharif following his disqualification in the Panama papers case.

Participants of the NDC urged Afghanistan to stop infiltration of militants from their side of the border into Pakistan and incidents of cross-border firing.

According to sources, the NSC also discussed the country's internal security situation and it was decided to continue security operations till elimination of terrorism from the country.

In addition, it also reviewed the progress made in restoration of peace in Karachi through targeted operations.

The military's ongoing Operation Raddul Fasaad and Operation Khyber-4 also came under discussion.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah and Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, among others, were in attendance.

DGMO and IB DG also attended the high-level session along with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other ministers and advisors.

The Committee expressed grave concern over frequent incidents of cross-border firing by Indian forces over the Line of Control and strongly condemned the grave violations of human rights inflicted upon innocent people of Occupied Kashmir. 

The National Security Committee reaffirmed its continued commitment to pursue peace and stability in Afghanistan through an Afghan owned and Afghan-led peace process.

The forum resolved to work at all levels with the people and Government of Afghanistan for removal of all irritants in Afghanistan for terrorist incidents in Pakistan.      

The Committee expressed satisfaction over the gains of anti-terrorism operations particularly Raddul Fasaad and Khyber-IV and resolved to continue with these operations till elimination of the last trace of terrorist elements.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired a meeting wherein he was briefed on CDA Affairs at PM House, Islamabad Wednesday.

The Prime Minister desired that CDA should devise innovative solutions for urban as well as rural land development. CDA, while introducing sectoral management and resources, should ensure service integration, the Prime Minister emphasized. The Prime Minister also stressed on the need for redressal mechanism regarding public grievances on municipal affairs. Encroachments must be stopped and roads' design should be user friendly, further emphasized the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi directed the Ministry to submit a comprehensive presentation enlisting the said proposals and their implementation mechanism for making CDA a truly innovative and public friendly organization.

Minister of State for CADD Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Mayor Islamabad and Chairman CDA Ansar Aziz Sheikh and other senior government officials were present during the meeting. 

Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Minister for Religious Affairs briefed the PM on working of the ministry and discussed development schemes of Mansehra. 

Meanwhile, a delegation of Pakistan Business Council led by Vice Chairman Towfiq Chinoy called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Islamabad Wednesday.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that government has initiated major policy reforms to facilitate business community. Laws relating to establishment of Special Economic Zones have been formulated to attract investment in the country with complete freedom of transferring dividends and movement of capital, added the Prime Minister.

The government has also improved security ambiance, particularly in Karachi to help business community conduct trade in a peaceful environment, stated the Prime Minister.

Indicators of Pakistan's economy are stable and moving towards positive growth which is being acknowledged by renowned international rating institutions, stated the Prime Minister. "Pakistan is poised to become a major player in the regional economy", emphasized the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister appreciated the role of Pakistan Business Council in providing tangible advice to the government on important policy issues.

Delegation of Pakistan Business Council thanked the Prime Minister and lauded the policy initiatives undertaken by the present government for restoring investors' confidence and paving the way for sustained business and trade growth. - NNI