US envoy Blome calls on PM ,

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Top civil and military leaders on Friday expressed resolved that conspiracies aiming at dividing the nation and creating unrest will not be allowed to succeed amid ongoing tussle between government and judiciary over polls in Punjab and worsening economic situation.

Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif chaired the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting and it was attended by chief ministers of the four provinces, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other officials.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, other services chiefs, DG ISP Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum and heads of other intelligence agencies.

The participants of the huddle have vowed not to succumb to any pressure over national issues, adding that there would be no compromise on internal and external security. They emphasised on collective efforts for national security and stability.

The civil-military leadership also expressed satisfaction over ongoing action against militants in different parts of the country after security officials gave a briefing in this regard. They paid tribute to the soldiers martyred in the terrorist activities. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar apprised the meeting on economic situation of the country and ongoing talks with the friendly states and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Pakistan’s loan programme is yet to materialize months after it imposed additional taxes and increased energy prices and allowed free floating of currency to meet conditions laid forth by the IMF. The nation has missed multiple deadlines to revive the deal. The Washington-based lender has asked the cash-strapped Pakistan to seek commitments for new loans from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before it releases the funds.

However, hopes have rekindled for receiving the much-needed loan tranche stalled since last year as the global lender confirmed that it had received assurance from Saudi Arabia for providing new loan worth $2 billion to Pakistan.

Pakistan is now looking towards the UAE to secure another $1 billion deposit in order to reach the staff-level agreement (SLA) with the IMF.

Earlier,

United States (US) Ambassador Donald Blome Friday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad,

According to the official sources, both the prime minister and the US ambassador discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest