Army top brass gauges deteriorating law and order

The top military brass on Thursday expressed its grave concern over the worsening law and order in Karachi, resolving that the army was all prepared to tackle the threat of terrorism and safeguard the country against internal and external threats.

At the 158th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at General Headquarters (GHQ) under the leadership of army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the military leadership observed that the army could assist the government in fighting terrorism wherever it was if asked by the civilian authorities. According to officials privy to the top level military consultations, the corps commanders’ meeting was held a day after the General Kayani’s visit to Karachi on Wednesday, where he was given a detailed briefing on the law and order in the city by the senior military officials.

An official seeking anonymity said the army chief shared the details of his visit to Karachi with the top military brass during the meeting.

A brief official statement by the ISPR said, “Apart from professional military matters, the meeting under took a comprehensive review of internal and external security environment of the country.”

However, the official, who wished not to be named, said apart from professional matters, the army leadership also discussed the recent horrendous acts of terror in Karachi and Quetta.

“The army brass expressed its grave concern over Abbas Town blast in which scores of people were killed as well as recent bombings in Quetta that took lives of dozens of other civilians,” said the official.

“The army commanders were of the view that the law enforcement agencies should work in complete coordination against the menace of terror. The military leadership observed that the army was all prepared to tackle the menace of terror and it could assist the government wherever it was needed,” he said.

However, he said the military commanders observed that it was up to the government to take any decision regarding the army’s assistance to eliminate terrorism in Karachi or any other area.

Another official, who also sought anonymity, said that the corps commanders’ meeting also took up the other vital issue of peace talks’ offer made recently by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) led by Hakimullah Mehsud.

He said the army leadership was of the view that a decision on the TTP talks offer should be also taken by the government.

He said the upcoming general elections in the country were also deliberated upon by the army leadership and it was decided that full cooperation would be extended to the Election Commission for holding peaceful polls.

The official said a delegation of the Election Commission was likely to visit the GHQ today (Friday) to discuss the army’s role in the conduct of smooth and peaceful elections.

He said the military commanders reviewed the latest situation on the country’s eastern and western border and also various aspects of ongoing cooperation with the United States in anti-terrorism campaign.