ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Tuesday underlined the need for rule of law for country’s progress.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on the NSC meeting said: “It concluded that progress and prosperity of Pakistan lies in peace, stability and rule of law.”

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and other senior officials.

The meeting took stock of the situation in the aftermath of protests over the acquittal of Aasia Bibi by the Supreme Court in a blasphemy case. The protests ended with the signing of an agreement between the protesters’ leadership and the federal and Punjab governments.

The agreement has been criticised by many people, including some senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, who have also urged the government to take action against protest leaders who called for for mutiny and killing of people.

“The meeting reviewed security situation in the country,” the PMO said. The issue was also discussed at a meeting between Prime Minister Khan and Gen Bajwa that preceded the NSC meeting. Mr Khan apprised the participants about his recent visit to China.

Meanwhile, Gen Bajwa called on President Dr Arif Alvi at the Presidency and discussed matters relating to national security. The president commended unmatched sacrifices rendered by the armed forces in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2018