The Pak Army’s top brass vowed to eliminate and its fight against terrorists, extremism and instability in the country by following a “whole-of-the-system” approach which was approved by the government.
According to a statement issued by the Pak Army Media Wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the 257th Corps Commanders’ Conference held in GHQ Rawalpindi heading by COAS General Asim Munir reviewed the domestic and regional environment including external and internal security challenges Pakistan confronts.
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The Corps conference under the chair of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, affirmed that the military leadership is cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges and it “resolves to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan”.
The conference reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to fully support national responses against internal & external threats. It highlighted that while security forces are undertaking intelligence-based operations in areas along the western border, there was a need to adopt a whole-of-the-nation and whole-of-the-government approach to eradicate the menace of terrorism on a long-term basis.
“This focused Counter Terrorism campaign against terrorists as approved by the Government, through the whole-of-the-system approach will lead towards eradicating permissive factors of terrorism, extremism and instability in the country,” said the ISPR.
The whole conference expressed its assurance to pursue the goals set by National Security Committee (NSC) to turn the tide against terrorism through the coordinated application of all elements of national power.
COAS Address at National Assembly Session
A day Earlier Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir attended the National Assembly session. Army Chief gave a detailed overview on the security of the country’s current situation to the members.
In his address at Parliment COAS said people of Pakistan were the source of power and their opinion was evident in the form of the constitution and the parliament.
COAS Munir said the parliament and the constitution reflected people’s opinion adding that people showed it through the constitution and the parliament. “Sovereignty belongs to Allah and He has vested power in the constitution,” he added.
COAS said the nation is the centre of gravity for the state of Pakistan. He congratulated the Parliament and lawmakers on the completion of 50 years of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.
COAS Munir said that Pakistanis are the centre of powers and the Constitution and the Parliament reflect their opinions.
He said the elected representatives should set a direction. “The army will support them in achieving their goals,” he added.
The army chief said elected representatives would use the power vested in them by the constitution. He also paid tribute to those who promulgated the 1973 Constitution.
He said the army was not about to launch a new operation but it was a reflection of the unflinching trust of people in the army. “There is no more a no-go area in the country,” he added. It was made possible, he said, by the sacrifices paid by martyrs.
COAS went on to say that negotiations with terrorists resulted in their emergence adding that it was a wrong decision to hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “Intelligence-based operations are being conducted on daily basis to counter terrorism,” he added.
He concluded by saying we should get out of the debate of “New Pakistan” and “Old Pakistan” and should talk about “Our [united] Pakistan”.