ISLAMABAD: The Afghanistan situation and internal security are likely to dominate the agenda of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Friday (today).

The NSC, which is the highest forum for coordination on security issues, is chaired by the prime minister. The meeting is attended by key federal ministers, the national security adviser, services chiefs and top intelligence officials.

A government source said that the meeting would discuss the developments in Afghanistan, border management, Pakistan’s efforts to support the new Taliban regime and implications of the situation for the country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have strongly lobbied for recognition of the Taliban regime by the international community and resumption of foreign assistance for Afghanistan. However, their efforts have made little progress.

A source hinted that the meeting may also review Pakistan’s relations with the United States. It is believed that the status of talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would also be discussed at the meeting.

PM Khan had earlier this week disclosed in an interview that the government was negotiating with the TTP in Afghanistan with the Taliban support.

The intensification of TTP violence since Taliban takeover, which Mr Khan downplayed as a spate of attacks, has prompted strong criticism of the government’s initiative.

A future roadmap in this regard is likely to be deliberated at the meeting.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2021