The high-powered committee met in Islamabad today (Saturday 25 February) with prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presiding. Federal ministers, services chiefs, intelligence chiefs, police commanders and senior bureaucrats attended the meeting. The apex committee concurred that Pakistan cannot afford internal instability, therefore "national solidarity, unity and collective efforts are need of the hour".
Senior representatives of intelligence agencies briefed the committee on the overall security situation in the country, as well as on punitive actions taken against different terrorist outfits and factions. All participants took the opportunity to pay tribute to officers, soldiers, policemen and citizens martyred in various terrorist attacks that took place recently.
The prime minister directed that all obstacles in the way of projects concerning police, counter terrorism department (CTD) and security forces should be removed without any delay.
Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also said the federal government would extend full cooperation and assistance to the provinces so that they can fulfill the responsibility of ensuring peace and security.
The meeting decided that a suitable procedure would be followed - in consultation with mainstream media entities and other relevant stakeholders - to stop rumours, misleading information and fearmongering whenever an 'emergency situation' such as a terror attack takes place in Pakistan.
The apex committee also reviewed progress on the implementation of the National Action Plan, and on the decisions taken in the last meeting of the apex committee.