Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pakistan shifts focus from military to economy

Pakistan shifts focus from military to economy

PRIME minister Imran Khan on Friday (14) launched Pakistan's first-ever National Security Policy based on a citizen-centric framework.

It focuses on boosting the country's flagging economy and its standing in the world, unlike the previous one-dimensional security policy deeply rooted in the development of military capabilities.

Unveiling the public version of the policy in Islamabad, Khan said the document, which was separately endorsed by the National Security Committee and the Cabinet last month, was a major priority of his government. The original 100-page version of the policy will remain classified.

Khan said, “our foreign policy will also focus much more on economic diplomacy going forward.”

Inclusive growth was needed but Pakistan had to go after loans from institutions like the International Monetary Fund, he said, lamenting that the country never had a plan to secure itself economically.

"The concept we have now brought to Pakistan is to make sure of the uplift of the vulnerable segment," he said and added that his government had taken steps like introducing health cards for the welfare of the poor.

Khan said the rule of law was also important for prosperity and progress.

The prime minister explained that the National Security Policy 2022-2026 centres on the government's vision, which believes that the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens.

“Any national security approach must prioritise national cohesion and the prosperity of people while guaranteeing fundamental rights and social justice without discrimination. To achieve the vast potential of our citizens, it is necessary to promote delivery-based good governance,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of the policy's successful implementation and announced that the National Security Committee will regularly review progress.

He said the policy articulates a citizen-centric framework, placing economic security at its core and seeking a “secure and economically resilient Pakistan”.

Khan said Pakistan, since its evolution, has had a one-dimensional security policy where the focus was on the military.

"For the first time, the National Security Division has developed a consensus document which defines national security in a proper way," he added.

Khan in his speech on Friday (14) likened Pakistan's armed forces with glue to keep the nation united and pledged more support for them in the days to come.

“Our armed forces are our pride and glue the nation together. Given the threats we face in the region, and the growing threat of hybrid warfare, they will continue to receive even greater support and importance,” Khan said.

The powerful army, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 70 plus years of existence, has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy.

The five-year-policy document which took seven years to prepare is being propped up by the Khan government as the country's first-ever strategy paper of its kind.

"We need to realise that our biggest security is when the people become stakeholders and stand up for the country. And this can be achieved through inclusive growth. We need to develop as a nation, not in sections,” Khan said.

The main themes of the policy are national cohesion, securing an economic future, defence and territorial integrity, internal security, foreign policy in a changing world and human security.

Khan also said the primary objective of Pakistan's foreign policy and military might was to keep peace in the region.

“The foremost aim of our foreign policy and military capability will remain peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he said.

On the foreign front, the new policy highlights disinformation, Hindutva, and the use of aggression for domestic political gains as key threats from India, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.

The report, quoting national security adviser Moeed Yusuf, said the policy places the Jammu and Kashmir issue at the core of the bilateral relationship with India.

When asked about the message it sends to India, Yusuf said: “it tells India to do the right thing and jump on the bandwagon to benefit from regional connectivity to uplift our peoples. It also tells India, if you don't want to do the right thing, it will be a loss to the entire region, but most of all India.”

Yusuf said the document was finalised after full civil and military consensus.

Earlier, Yusuf said the policy had been in the making since 2014 and all stakeholders were taken on board before its finalisation, adding that it would be updated after every five years.

(PTI)

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less