Army top brass meets today to discuss TTP offer, Qadri’s long march

Two important issues related to country’s security and national politics will be at the table for extensive discussions today (Friday) among the top military commanders, who meet for the monthly Corps Commanders’ meeting at GHQ, Rawalpindi under the leadership of army chief General Ashfaq Kayani.
The country’s top military brass would deliberate in detail upon the recent peace talks offer by Hakimullah Mehsud, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief, while the other important matter to be discussed would be the long march call given by Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.
Though there were calls to the army by Dr Qadri and his ally MQM chief Altaf Hussain for support to their cause, the army has already distanced itself from the long march, saying it had nothing do to with that or the arrival of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief in Pakistan from Canada.
“Still, it is an important national issue (January 14 long march) so naturally it will figure in discussions during the military commanders’ meeting,” a security official said, seeking anonymity.
Nonetheless, he said the focus of the meeting would be the security situation within and outside the country’s borders and the dialogue offer made by the TTP.
He said the army commanders would deliberate upon the TTP’s offer, but the main decision lay with the civilian leaders and the government.
The source said the talks’ offer by the TTP could be a ploy on part of Hakimullah and his close aides to ward off the pressure that they were facing in various tribal regions as a result of the ongoing military operations and the army commanders would also discuss that aspect as well.
In the past, a majority of peace agreements between the army and militant bodies now part of the TTP have proved futile exercises, as they usually broke down after some time.
The army on Wednesday came up with a ‘new military doctrine’ that dubbed the internal threat posed by various terrorist organisations a major security hazard for the country’s sovereignty, a significant development seen by many as a major shift in policy.
The official said it was yet to be seen how serious the TTP and its affiliated outfits, which had been involved in horrendous acts of terror in the country, were in the talks for peace and stability.
According to the official, the corps commanders would also discuss the Afghan reconciliation process and Pakistan’s role in its success. “Other important issues of national security and the latest situation on the country’s borders would be discussed at length in the army brass meeting,” he said.