Military top brass resolute on ‘preserving dignity’

• Corps Commanders’ Conference supports army chief’s views on upholding institution’s dignity
• Commanders review Taliban negotiation process, express ‘displeasure’ over defence minister’s statement

The top military commanders on Wednesday told army chief General Raheel Sharif that they fully supported his views on upholding and preserving the armed forces’ dignity, as they undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and security situation of the country, especially along the western border.

This was the first meeting of the corps commanders in wake of veiled warnings issued by the government and Gen Sharif suggesting that rifts were emerging between the two institutions over a host of issues, especially the release of Taliban prisoners and the high treason trial of former army chief Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf.

According to a private TV channel, the participants of the conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) expressed displeasure over the statement made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who on Tuesday had stated in the National Assembly that every institution protected its dignity and its personnel, but the parliament was the supreme institution of the country.

Asif’s remarks had come a day after Gen Sharif’s statement in which he had said that army would resolutely preserve its institutional pride and dignity in wake of “undue criticism” on the institution in recent days.

According to the TV channel’s report, the army chief will meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his return from China to discuss the concerns expressed by his commanders.

SECURITY ISSUES:

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the issue of drawdown of ISAF from Afghanistan with its concomitant implications on the security situation along the bordering region was discussed while the session also reviewed the ongoing Taliban negotiation process and its developments so far.

The COAS appreciated Pakistani troops for additional security measures along Pak-Afghan border to assist Afghan in conduct of their smooth presidential elections.

The forum also comprehensively reviewed Pakistan Army’s large scale involvement on security, development and rehabilitation works in various parts of the country. The COAS commended the efforts despite serious security and administrative challenges.