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National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Janjua resigned from the post on Wednesday, allegedly due to differences with the interim government, DawnNewsTV reported, citing sources.
Janjua's resignation was accepted by Caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division.
Janjua, who had replaced Sartaj Aziz on Oct 23, 2015, was accorded the status of minister of state. His appointment was part of efforts to revitalise the national security division since, during Aziz's approximately two-and-a-half-year tenure, the National Security Committee had met just four times.
The military too had reportedly been pressing the then government for bringing in a new NSA.
Janjua is the second military official to hold the post after retired Maj Gen Mehmood Durrani, who was NSA during an earlier PPP government.
Janjua held the post of Southern Command Quetta before he retired from the army. Before that, he was president of the National Defence University, the military's higher education institute and premier think-tank on national security matters.
He also worked on 'Azm-i-Nau', a military preparedness exercise with particular focus on India. In December 2017, the then premier, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, had tasked Janjua to present the national security policy.
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Comments (40) Closed
Post an experienced civilian as NSA.
@Socrates He is be definition a “civilian”... if you read carefully he is retired, therefore not in the military. A lot of prominent politicians the world over were ex-military. They were never classified as non-civilians.
We have lost a good man and excellent strategist.
@Socrates No - you dont want that!
NSA job is not everyone's cup of tea.
The post of NSA demands the appointment of a thoroughly patriotic and practically result oriented person who should have impeccable track record of high national achievements in varied fields of endeavors.
Should not have resigned.
Present caretaker setup is limited time regime and differences with them and then resigning does not make any sense at all. I think story is not that simple as being reported.
@Socrates experienced in what???
Sadly, he left with no achievement and zero legacy. Please get some civilian with a higher caliber, intellectually honest and a visionary.
In the presence of a competent foreign minister the need to have a parallel post does not arise. The retention of the post of the national security advisor should be abolished to save the unnecessary expenditure.
@nationalist experienced in foreign policy , having been head of a think thank , prefereably a diplomat or educationalist who has vast experience in global ( being the key here) politics and economics .. if they can't find anyone that qualified , and uneducated civilian will do as well as long as he/ she is a civilian
Thank you for your service sir the government should appoint (retired) Lt. General Tariq Khan as the next NSA because of his of understanding of world affairs and vast experience in counter terrorism as he led all the operation against TTP from 2007 to 2009 successfully
He was Nawaz's favorite.
@Socrates Unfortunately there is none, civilians are mostly corrupt and have zero knowledge.
@nationalist In corruption.
Resignation from any post is pretty rare in South Asia in general and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in particular, for which, credit must be given where credit is due.
We dont need NSA. The Min of Def has enough staff to advise on security. The President national defence university and many other serving people can give adequete advice.
Pressurized to resign as he was a Nawaz appointee
I'm one of only few people in Pakistan who specifically got educated in "National Security Affairs" from USA. Tried to approach National Security Division but one becomes accessible. I still wish to get connected and utilise my skills in National Security Affairs.
Let our country be a truly democratic one. Foreign policy shall be designed and implemented by capable civilian diplomats and competent persons. Consultations may however, be made with military as and when needed.
Even an elected government does not have any control over security and foreign policies, how can a toothless caretaker government have differences with the NSA ? Bogus reason given for resigning.
Military was also pressing for a new NSA---civilian or another military? I think a civilian NSA is the best option. We have seasoned diplomat who knows how to handle security matters.
in all fairness, All PML-N appointees must not be part of the interim government except for civil servants. This includes replacing Mr. Siddiqui as the Pakistan's ambassador to US appointed by PML-N.
@Socrates Civilian does not have experience in national security. It is the military personnel who spend their whole life securing the country.
Let not appoint any who support contesting political parties.
What did he differ on with the caretakers?
Lt General Nasser Janjua served exceptional as regards to track 2 diplomacy with India. Just like Gen(r) Asad Durrani and Daulat of India kept confidence in their Track 2 contacts. Anyways let us hope the Interim Govt will choose a good replacement.
Confusions, confusions and more confusions...
@Delta Do not agree. A army man is always an army man. Period.
@Asif Kahsmiri What he has done as strategist?
@Sikisher He was no match Like Sartaj Aziz. Not even close
@Saad Khan Non civilians are NOT corrupt???
@jawaid Great idea. Fully agree
@Saad Khan : Sadly your own knowledge about civilians is poor and lamentable.
I can say much more but won't. Let the cat stay inside the bag.
@Socrates Please name just one civilian politician that would be qualified for this job??
FATF first causality. Many more are to be resigned and transferred.
@jawaid Please also specify where to find these "capable civilian diplomats and competent persons"
Respect and salute for your services to Nation.
Should have been let go earlier to keep the elections fair and clean.