ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal on Friday asked the Ministry of Interior to ensure a security review meeting is held every month on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The minister gave the direction while chairing a meeting to review the security progress on CPEC projects, said a press release issued here.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Ministry of Interior, the Secretary Ministry of Infor­mation and other relevant stakeholders.

The Minister emphasised the need to build a safe and secure environment for CPEC and to effectively tackle kinetic and non-kinetic challenges.

CPEC is a flagship project of Pakistan-China Economic Cooperation which can enable Pakistan to become an industrial economy. It is unfortunate that the momentum of 2013-18 couldn’t be sustained, said the Minister.

He also expressed concern that Pakistan’s side of CPEC’s joint working group on security has not been meeting frequently.

He directed the Ministry of Interior to regularly convene its meetings on a monthly basis. He added that without a coordinated effort, there can be gaps which must be filled.

Mr. Iqbal stated that the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) should function in accordance with their established role and objectives in order to provide the government with an in-depth assessment of security challenges rooted in the country’s socioeconomic conditions.

He added that it would help the government to expand its security lens by addressing socio-economic grievances of the people that may, if left unaddressed, translate into security challenges.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2022