National Security Council of Pakistan (NSC)
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A backgrounder
OTHER NAME: N/A
LOCATION: Islamabad, Pakistan
SUBORDINATE TO: President of Pakistan (Chairman) and Prime Minister of Pakistan (Vice Chairman)
SIZE: 21 members
FACILITY STATUS: Active
Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf convened the National Security Council (NSC) upon seizing power in October 1999, and formally established it as a constitutional body on 21 August 2002. Under Article 152A of the Pakistan Constitution, the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan serve as Chairman and Vice Chair, respectively, and NSA membership also includes all major civilian and military leaders. Creation of the NSC formalized the Pakistani military’s input into policymaking.
Analysts note that the NSC’s broad membership renders it an impractical venue for discussing sensitive security matters. However, the NSC played a role in several key decisions affecting oversight of Pakistan missile development, including the establishment of the National Command Authority and the Strategic Plans Division to oversee and administer all missile programs, and the decision to bring Khan Research Laboratories under de jure military control.
