ISLAMABAD, 19 May 2021, (TON): Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed his Special Assistant on National Security Moeed Yusuf as the country’s National Security Adviser (NSA).

A cabinet division issued a notification on Tuesday, confirming Yusuf’s appointment for the post. According to the notification, Moeed’s designation will be equal to a federal minister.

Yusuf’s elevation comes in the backdrop of the reported backchannel communication with India early this year, resulting in the restoration of the 2003 ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control in February.

A notification dated May 17 was issued by the Cabinet Division to appoint Moeed Yusuf as the NSA. The notification read, “The Prime Minister has been pleased to approve that Dr Moeed W Yusuf, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security and Strategic Policy Planning, shall function as National Security Adviser with the status of Federal Minister, with immediate effect.”

Yusuf was appointed as Secial Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning and was given the status of Minister of State on 24 December 2019.
He has experience of working at various think tanks in the US. He served as the associate vice president at the Asia Center at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and a research fellow at the Frederick S Padree Centre at Boston University.