PM Khan lauds ISI for being first line of defence

–Premier visits ISI HQ, takes eight-hour-long briefing from COAS, spy chief

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday visited the headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) where he received an eight-hour-long briefing from Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI Director General Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar.

PM Khan was briefed in detail on various strategic intelligence and national security matters at the top spy agency’s office. He lauded the contributions of the ISI for national security, especially in the ongoing counter-terrorism effort.

“ISI is our first line of defence and stands out as one of the best intelligence agencies of the world,” he said.

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said that PM Khan chaired the meeting at ISI HQ, adding that the army chief and ISI DG briefed him on the security-related issues for eight hours.

The premier made it clear that the government and people “firmly stand behind their armed forces and intelligence agencies, and greatly acknowledge the unprecedented achievements of these institutions.”

The senior cabinet ministers also accompanied the PM on his ISI HQ visit.

Earlier, the two top military officials received the premier upon his arrival. PM Khan laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered fateha.

GHQ VISIT:

On Aug 30, PM Khan visited the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi for a security briefing, the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a tweet.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived to visit GHQ. Received on arrival by COAS [Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa]. PM being briefed on defence, internal security and other professional matters,” the ISPR said.

“Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Information and Minister of State for Interior are accompanying the PM,” it added.

The PM and his ministers, the ISPR said, were given “detailed briefings on the security environment, threat spectrum and response, the army’s campaign against terrorism, Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, Karachi situation as well as the Khushal Balochistan program”.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that PM Imran Khan and the ministers spent nearly eight hours at the GHQ.

The minister added that during the meeting Gen Bajwa said, “There is perception army interferes in the civilian affairs, but please be rest assured, the army will function like any other government institution”.

PM Khan, according to the ISPR, “greatly appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and contributions and sacrifices of Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism”.

“Pakistan is facing external and internal challenges but with the support of the nation and through a cohesive national approach, we shall successfully overcome these,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.

Moreover, PM Khan also reportedly assured General Bajwa that his government shall provide all resources required to maintain the capability and capacity of the armed forces.

The COAS thanked the PM for his visit and his confidence in the Army, and assured him that the armed forces shall, God willing, “continue to deliver on nation’s expectations of defending the motherland at all costs and sacrifices”.

The army chief and premier have had several official interactions since PM Khan assumed office. In their first meeting, they “expressed resolve to bring enduring peace and stability in the country while also continuing efforts for regional peace”, the Prime Minister Office had said in a statement.