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• Orders regular audit of SOPs, urges foolproof security for Chinese nationals
• Set to depart for Saudi Arabia today in first foreign trip since assuming office
• Reaffirms support for Palestinians, condemns Israeli oppression
ISLAMABAD: Amid resurgence of terrorist activities in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday his intention to regularly review and audit the country’s security standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The prime minister decided that he would himself monitor the security situation in the country and the audit of SOPs, and called for foolproof security for Chinese nationals working on different projects in Pakistan.
“The prime minister also instructed (officials) to chalk out a comprehensive strategy for the regular audit of the security SOPs,” the Prime Minister Office said in a statement after a meeting on the security situation.
“The prime minister decided to personally review the meetings with respect to the overall security of the country, especially the security of the Chinese citizens,” it added.
Mr Sharif, who chaired the meeting, said war against terrorism would continue until its eradication and directed the interior ministry to root out the menace from the country and increase collaboration with provinces to improve the provincial anti-terrorism departments.
The interior ministry briefed the prime minister about its performance and the country’s overall law and order situation.
The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, top brass of the security agencies and other top officials concerned.
A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that the prime minister will chair the meeting on the audit of security SOPs on a monthly basis.
The premier expressed satisfaction over the already devised security procedures, but directed the authorities concerned to implement them vigorously.
The meeting also stressed the need to prevent cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan and noted that leftover arms and ammunition of US forces were being used by militants against Pakistan. “We all know that from where these arms and ammunition is coming and where it is being dumped,” the sources quoted Mr Sharif as saying.
During the meeting, interior ministry officials presented several proposals to beef up security in the country.
Visit to Saudi Arabia
In a separate development, Prime Minister Sharif is set to start a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia today (Saturday), marking his first foreign trip since assuming office last month, during which he is expected to pursue economic support from the kingdom.
The premier is visiting Saudi Arabia from April 6 to 8, during the last days of Ramazan, the Foreign Office said in a statement, adding that this would be his first foreign visit since his election.
The prime minister would be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema.
Mr Sharif will meet Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.
The Foreign Office said the prime minister’s discussions with the Saudi leadership would be focused on “issues of mutual interest” besides the exchange of views on regional and global developments.
Given Saudi Arabia’s history of financially assisting Pakistan, the economic crisis facing the country, and the composition of the delegation, it’s obvious that Mr Sharif would seek economic assistance from Saudi Arabia.
“The leadership of both countries is committed to advancing the fraternal ties and mutually rewarding economic and investment relations,” the Foreign Office said. The prime minister will also perform Umrah in Makkah and visit Madina.
Al Quds Day
In a message on Al Quds Day, annually observed on the last Friday of Ramazan, PM Sharif reiterated that Pakistan would continue its moral and diplomatic support to the people of Palestine until their liberation and the establishment of an independent Palestine state according to pre-1967 borders.
He said the entire nation condemned Zionist oppression and expressed solidarity with Palestinian people.
Fir the past seven decades, Israel had illegally occupied Palestine and Jerusalem and continuously violated international laws and human rights to maintain its occupation while the international community acted as a silent spectator, the PM added. The Israeli atrocities spanned over the last seven decades, but its intensity “increased manifold” since October last year.
He demanded the international community to play its role to pressure Israel to stop the oppression. He requested Muslims in Pakistan and all over the world observing the last Friday of Ramazan to pray for their Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2024
