NSC meeting decides to ‘rev up counter-terrorism drive’

The National Security Committee (NSC) meeting Friday decided to turn up the heat on the militancy with relentless counter and preemptory measures to neutralise the threats present in the country in any form, sources told.

The meeting was held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, to chalk out a strategy in the wake of a spate of terror attacks.

The meeting, which took place at the PM House, was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and military chiefs.

The meeting also struck a consensus that the country would not let anyone sabotage the hard-earned peace.

“We will continue to advance on terrorism with an iron will and unwavering resoluteness,” PM Shehbaz said adding that the terrorists would not find a place to hide.

Sources said that the meeting discussed the recent spike in terrorist attacks and prayed for those martyred in attacks.

Officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, added that a statement regarding the meeting will be issued shortly.

PM Shehbaz had summoned the NSC in view of the current security situation in Pakistan.

The News had reported that Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum was expected to brief the meeting on the recent terror wave in Pakistan and Pak-Afghan border situation, while an integrated strategy against terrorism would be formulated.

A day earlier, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir called on PM Shehbaz at the PM House and briefed him on professional as well as national security matters, a statement issued by the PM Office’s Media Wing said.