–Corps Commanders’ huddle led by Gen Bajwa vows to defend country against India
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army on Tuesday reiterated its commitment towards regional peace and vowed to support the government and relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to capitalise on gains made against militancy during the war on terrorism.
The statement came in the wake of the government’s crackdown on militant outfits operating within the country in line with the UN counter-terror regime.
During the 220th Corps Commanders’ Conference presided by army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters, the forum “reiterated to continue its efforts for bringing enduring peace in the country while supporting all initiatives towards regional peace”.
Having achieved success against terrorism, Pakistan is on a positive trajectory of becoming a state where prerogative of use of weapons rests with the state alone and socio-economic development is taking preeminence, COAS concluded.
In the wake of increased Indian hostility, the top military brass also reviewed the geo-strategic environment and on-going situation along the eastern border with India.
The huddle, however, expressed “strong will, resolve and determination to defend the motherland against any misadventure or aggression”.
The army chief had also called a meeting of lawmakers’ body on defence at the GHQ on Thursday for the same reasons.
This is the time second in this year that the army chief is briefing parliament on ties with India, that have significantly worsened after 44 Indian paramilitary personnel died in Pulwama bombing on Feb 14.
India blamed Pakistan for the terror attack and subsequently launched airstrike within its territory, taking the region to the brink of war. Pakistan, in return, shot down two Indian planes the next day and capturing the pilot.
In the backdrop of these events, the army chief had briefed parliament on Feb 27 in an in-camera meeting.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the director general (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), had provided the military’s input to the meeting participants.
