# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Revisiting the NSP" by Zafar Mirza, Published in Dawn on June 13th, 2025:* The article discusses *Pakistan's National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026*, emphasizing its importance following recent *India-Pakistan skirmishes* between *May 6-10*. The author highlights that *Pakistan* has a comprehensive *National Security Policy*, unlike many countries including *India*, which has been struggling to finalize its own strategy since *2023*. *Pakistan's NSP* was developed under the leadership of *Dr. Moeed Yusuf*, the first *civilian National Security Adviser*, through extensive consultations involving *120 working groups* and over *500 experts*. The policy was approved by the *National Security Committee (NSC)* and *federal cabinet* on *December 28, 2021*, and launched publicly on *January 14, 2022*. The *NSP* adopts a *citizen-centric approach* with the principle that *"security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens"*. It covers eight key areas: *national cohesion*, *economic future*, *defence and territorial integrity*, *internal security*, *foreign policy*, and *human security* (including *population growth*, *health security*, *climate and water stress*, *food security*, and *gender security*). The author criticizes the *health security* section as being *pandemic-focused* rather than addressing *universal health coverage* and *primary healthcare*. Despite having an *annual review mechanism*, the *NSP* appears to have been *forgotten* in implementation, with no updates since its launch. The author suggests that recent diplomatic delegations may not have even referenced the *NSP* in their presentations. He calls for *revisiting*, *updating*, and *implementing* the *NSP* as Pakistan's best case for *national security* before the world, emphasizing the importance of *policy continuity* across governments as a sign of *system maturity*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan's National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026* was developed under *Dr. Moeed Yusuf* through *500+ expert consultations* and approved in *December 2021*. Unlike *India*, which lacks a finalized strategy, *Pakistan's NSP* covers *eight key areas* with a *citizen-centric approach*. However, the policy appears *forgotten* in implementation despite having *annual review mechanisms*. The author calls for *revisiting* and *implementing* the *NSP* following recent *India-Pakistan tensions*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Immediate NSP Review* Conduct the *annual review* of the *NSP* that has been pending since *2022*. ## *2. Update Policy Content* Revise the *NSP* to address current *geopolitical challenges* and recent *India-Pakistan tensions*. ## *3. Strengthen Implementation Framework* Establish clear *implementation mechanisms* with *timelines* and *accountability measures*. ## *4. Enhance Health Security Section* Expand *health security* beyond *pandemic preparedness* to include *universal health coverage* and *primary healthcare*. ## *5. Regular Policy Briefings* Provide *quarterly updates* to *Parliament* and *NSC* on *NSP implementation* progress. ## *6. Diplomatic Integration* Include *NSP* references in all *diplomatic dossiers* and *international presentations*. ## *7. Public Awareness Campaign* Launch campaigns to make the *NSP* widely known among *citizens* and *stakeholders*. ## *8. Cross-Party Consensus* Ensure *opposition parties* participate in *NSP reviews* for *national unity*. ## *9. Institutional Memory* Create systems to maintain *policy continuity* across *government changes*. ## *10. International Benchmarking* Compare *Pakistan's NSP* with successful *international models* for improvements. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Pakistan's NSP* covers *2022-2026* period. - *India-Pakistan skirmishes* occurred between *May 6-10, 2025*. - *NSP* approved by *NSC* and *federal cabinet* on *December 28, 2021*. - Policy launched publicly on *January 14, 2022*. - *120 working groups* established during *NSP* development. - Over *500 experts* consulted in the policy formulation process. - *NSP* covers *eight key areas* of national security. - *National Security Division* mandate exists since *1973* but was unfulfilled until *2019*. - Some interest in developing *NSP* existed in *2014* but failed to materialize. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* ranks *130th* in *Global Peace Index 2024* (*Institute for Economics and Peace*). - *India's defense budget* is *$76 billion* compared to *Pakistan's $6.5 billion* (*SIPRI*, 2024). - Only *40%* of countries globally have *published national security strategies* (*RAND Corporation*, 2023). - *Pakistan's GDP* allocated to *defense* is *3.5%* compared to *India's 2.4%* (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Climate change* affects *33 million Pakistanis* annually (*UNDP*, 2024). - *Pakistan's health expenditure* is only *3.2%* of *GDP* (*WHO*, 2023). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *When was Pakistan's NSP approved by the federal cabinet?* A. January 14, 2022 *B. December 28, 2021* C. December 2019 D. May 2025 ### 2. *Who was Pakistan's first civilian National Security Adviser?* A. Zafar Mirza *B. Dr. Moeed Yusuf* C. Anonymous D. Not mentioned ### 3. *How many working groups were established during NSP development?* A. 500 *B. 120* C. 100 D. 200 ### 4. *When did the India-Pakistan skirmishes occur according to the article?* A. May 30, 2025 *B. May 6-10, 2025* C. January 2022 D. December 2021 ### 5. *What is the core principle of Pakistan's NSP according to the Prime Minister?* A. Defense first approach *B. Security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens* C. Economic development priority D. Regional cooperation # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Skirmishes* (چھوٹی جھڑپیں) – Small-scale conflicts or fights 2. *Comprehensive* (جامع) – Complete and thorough 3. *Hostage* (یرغمال) – Person held captive as security 4. *Deliberations* (مشاورت) – Careful consideration or discussion 5. *Fruition* (تکمیل) – The realization or fulfillment of a plan 6. *Robust* (مضبوط) – Strong and effective 7. *Inclusive* (جامع) – Including all concerned parties 8. *Consultative* (مشاورتی) – Involving consultation and discussion 9. *Laudable* (قابل تعریف) – Deserving praise and commendation 10. *Credentials* (اسناد) – Qualifications and achievements 11. *Mandate* (ذمہ داری) – Official order or commission 12. *Mantle* (ذمہ داری) – Role or responsibility 13. *Scrutiny* (جانچ پڑتال) – Critical examination 14. *In-camera* (خفیہ) – Private or confidential session 15. *Boycotting* (بائیکاٹ) – Refusing to participate 16. *Symbiotic* (باہمی) – Mutually beneficial relationship 17. *Imperative* (لازمی) – Essential or crucial 18. *Prerequisites* (پیشگی شرائط) – Required conditions 19. *Optimising* (بہتر بنانا) – Making the best use of 20. *Articulates* (واضح کرنا) – Expresses clearly and effectively 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Revisiting the NSP* *Zafar Mirza* *6–8 minutes* "Policies are developed so that we don't become hostage of events." — Anonymous PAKISTAN's first and comprehensive National Security Policy has assumed marked importance in the wake of skirmishes between India and Pakistan between May 6-10. I referred to the NSP in my last column, 'Development challenges', published in these pages on May 30, 2025. After receiving numerous inquiries, I realised that our NSP may not be general knowledge. So I figured a column was in order. First, let's recognise that we do, in fact, have a valid National Security Policy 2022-2026, and a very good one at that. Most countries either don't have a national security policy or don't make it public. Not only does Pakistan have a national security policy but it is also a largely public document, with a confidential portion. By contrast in India, as reported by the media there in 2023, the National Security Council Secretariat has been trying to bring out a national security strategy for many years. Deliberations between the military and strategic community have attempted to build a case and content for the strategy, but it has yet to come to fruition. After Pakistan, Japan has also produced a national security policy with some interesting similarities between the two. Our NSP was approved after thorough discussions by the highest security forum in the country — the National Security Committee (NSC), and then by the highest national government decision-making body, the federal cabinet, on Dec 28, 2021. It was launched publicly on Jan 14, 2022, with full civil and military support. 'Security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens.' Good public policies are those which are backed up by robust research and wider, inclusive consultative processes, as is the case with the NSP. It was led by our first civilian National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, who was well-suited to his post because of his laudable credentials. A security and strategy academic, he has credible standing in the global security research community, with his wide-ranging experience and academic contributions. "Formulating a comprehensive National Security Policy for the approval of the National Security Committee as well as ensuring its sustainability through monitoring its implementation and undertaking periodical reviews/updates in consultation with all stakeholders as required" reads the mandate of the National Security Division, according to the Rules of Business, 1973. However, the division had not fulfilled this important part of its mandate since 1973. There was some active interest in 2014, but even then a national security policy could not be developed. Upon assuming office in December 2019, Dr Yusuf picked up the mantle. Wider national consultations were undertaken, some of which I witnessed personally; 120 working groups in almost all sectors were set up and more than 500 experts consulted. The policy passed through civil-military scrutiny. The process eventually involved tabling the document in an in-camera briefing before the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, with the then opposition members unfortunately boycotting the proceedings. Eventually, it was approved by the NSC and the federal cabinet. Rolling out the NSP was meant to set a "directional tone" and send a message to the world that our vision for national security is broad and seeks to identify the means of expanding economic resources so that Pakistan can simultaneously strengthen its traditional and non-traditional security. "The security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens," wrote the prime minister in his message. "Realising the symbiotic relationship between economic, human and traditional security is now imperative for Pakistan's long-term development. Domestic stability and reg­ional peace based on mutual coexistence, regional connectivity, and shared prosperity are essential prerequisites to optimising national security." The NSP articulates a citizen-centric comprehensive national security framework for Pakistan whose ultimate purpose is to ensure the safety, security, dignity and prosperity of Pakistanis. Organised in eight parts, the NSP covers almost all important aspects of a comprehensive national security framework: national cohesion; economic future; defence and territorial integrity; internal security; foreign policy in a changing world; and human security. The last section on human security covers population growth and migration; health security; climate and water stress; food security and gender security. The NSP includes education in the section on "securing our economic future" as a means of producing an employable and skilled labour force in a highly competitive and technology-driven global job market. Personally, I am not too happy with the section on health security as it is patchy in concept. It is mainly driven by the Covid pandemic and how to prepare and respond to health emergencies rather than paying serious attention to the urgent need to strengthen essential healthcare for all without discrimination, ie, universal health coverage, which is not possible without investing in primary healthcare. The continuity of public policies across governments is a sign of system maturity. However, implementation is another challenge altogether. Regarding the continuity of the NSP, despite providing an inbuilt annual review within the policy, we haven't heard anything about its implementation. Even in the case of the best laws and policies, the devil resides in the space between policy and implementation. At the moment, it seems that our NSP has been forgotten. In the backdrop of the events of last month, and with Pakistan now sending its delegations to other capitals to present its case, I wonder if the NSP was even a part of the dossiers prepared for members of the delegation. It is never too late, however. It is time to revisit Pakistan's National Security Policy, update it, and implement it. This would be our best case on national security to put before the world. The writer is a former health minister and currently a professor of health systems & population health at the Shifa Tameer-i-Millat University. Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2025