The 84th Formation Commanders’ Conference on Thursday urged the government promulgate and implement stringent laws and regulations to check “unfettered and unethical use of freedom of expression to spew venom, lies and sow the seeds of polarization,” according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing.
The Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said Army chief Gen. Asim Munir had presided over the bi-annual meeting, which comprised corps commanders, principal staff officers and all formation commanders. It said the participants had expressed concern over “malicious propaganda” targeted the armed forces over their lawful deployment in the federal capital to secure key government buildings and provide a safe and secure environment for the valued visiting delegations.
“This pre-planned coordinated and premeditated propaganda reflects continuity of a sinister design by certain political elements as an attempt to drive a wedge between the public and armed forces and institutions of Pakistan,” it said. “This futile attempt, fueled and abetted by external players, will never be successful, Insh Allah,” it added.
Last month, the PTI staged a “do or die” protest in Islamabad, aiming to secure the release of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan. As the protest coincided with the visit of the Belarusian president, the Interior Ministry had summoned the Army under Article 245 to ensure the protection of key government buildings and the visiting delegation.
The protest ended abruptly after the government launched a crackdown on the protesters and their co-leaders, Bushra Imran and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, fled the scene. The PTI has since alleged at least 12 of its workers were killed; the government denies this, maintaining law enforcers did not use any live ammunition.
Stressing on the need for the government to enact laws to check the “unfettered and unethical” use of freedom of expression, it emphasized that those spreading fake news for vested political/financial interests must be identified, and brought to justice. The forum maintained the Army was committed to serving the nation and public and guarding against all external and internal threats without any bias and political affiliation. It warned any attempt to pitch innocent people against each other and use of violence as an instrument for vested gains was intolerable.
Eradicating terrorism
The conference commenced with the participants offering Fateha and paying solemn tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens of Pakistan who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s security and sovereignty—including the security personnel who embraced martyrdom during recent violent protests in Islamabad.
It also condemned ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people.
The ISPR said the participants were briefed on the prevailing security environment, both external and internal, and reviewed the Pakistan Army’s operational readiness to address evolving traditional and non-traditional threats. The forum also conducted a comprehensive analysis of ongoing counterterrorism operations and resolved to continue neutralizing terrorists, their facilitators, and abettors working at the behest of hostile forces to destabilize Pakistan, with a heightened focus on operations against terrorists operating inside Balochistan.
The forum also expressed concern over the unabated use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by terrorists, especially those belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “It is in the interest of both neighboring Islamic countries to focus on mutually beneficial engagements,” it said, urging the interim Afghan government to take visible measures to prevent the use of its soil by the terrorists.
The conference reiterated its resolve to continue supporting all socioeconomic and development efforts being undertaken in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan by federal and provincial governments for the well-being of the resilient people of these provinces who continue to stand tall against the scourge of terrorism. Stressing on the Army’s commitment to socioeconomic progress, the forum resolved to continue to support government efforts in fostering economic growth, cracking down on the illegal spectrum and eradicating the terror-crime nexus.
Concluding the conference, the COAS emphasized the importance of professionalism, operational readiness, and the Army’s unwavering dedication to ensuring Pakistan’s security and stability, notwithstanding any odds and challenges.