- PM Imran Khan lauds military’s sacrifices, says his govt will maintain capability and capacity of armed forces
- Gen Bajwa tells PM security forces will continue to deliver on expectations of defending country
- Info Minister Chaudhry says ‘had a wonderful visit of GHQ’, calls for close coordination and cooperation between institutions
RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday assured the Pakistan Army of his government’s full support in maintaining the capability and capacity of the armed forces.
The prime minister gave the assurance during his maiden visit to the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where he was “briefed on defence, internal security and other professional matters”.
PM Khan was welcomed by Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Asif Ghafoor in a tweet.
During his meeting with the army chief, the prime minister appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, contributions, and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism and assured him of an all-out support to the military to maintain capability and capacity of the forces.
PM visited GHQ. “Appreciated contributions & sacrifices of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism. “Pakistan is facing external and internal challenges but with support of the nation and through a cohesive national approach, we shall successfully overcome these”, PM. pic.twitter.com/YT5lG5VqyD
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) August 30, 2018
The PM said that Pakistan is facing external and internal challenges but with the support of the nation and through a cohesive national approach, the country shall successfully overcome these.
“Pakistan is destined to rise and Inshallah we shall rise, staying positively relevant in the comity of nations,” said Khan.
Besides detailed briefing on the security environment, threat spectrum and response, the PM and his ministers were given updates on the army’s campaign against terrorism, ongoing operation Raddul Fasaad, security situation in Karachi and Khushal Balochistan programme.
The army chief, in return, thanked PM Khan for his visit and posing confidence in the army, and assured that the security forces will continue to deliver on nation’s expectations of defending the motherland at all costs.
Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Foreign Affairs Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umer, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and state minister-designate for interior Shehryar Khan Afridi accompanied the PM during the visit.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet after the visit to the GHQ said: “A wonderful Visit of GHQ today. PM and members of the Cabinet are Proud to meet Command of World’s best Army.A detailed briefing in GHQ was of great value. With close coordination n cooperation amongst all institutions we shall overcome all challenges confronting Pakistan.”
A wonderful Visit of GHQ today. PM and members of the Cabinet are Proud to meet Command of World’s best Army.A detailed briefing in GHQ was of great value. With close coordination n cooperation amongst all institutions we shall overcome all challenges confronting Pakistan.
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 30, 2018
This is the second formal meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army chief Gen Bajwa.
On August 27, the COAS had called on PM Khan to congratulate him on assuming the top ministerial job. In the meeting, both dignitaries had discussed the country’s security situation. The two leaders had vowed to maintain their efforts to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.
The civil-military relations had become increasingly tense during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who repeatedly chided the military leadership for undermining civilian authority. In addition, the PML-N and other parties had also accused the military establishment of influencing Imran Khan-led PTI’s victory in the general election. However, the army and PTI have repeatedly denied these accusations.