The 265th Corps Commanders’ Conference on Friday expressed concern over “unwarranted criticism” of Azm-e-Istehkam, maintaining it was deliberately bring misrepresented by some quarters to further their vested interests.
Chaired by Army chief Gen. Asim Munir, the conference was held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and undertook a comprehensive review of the internal and external security situation of the country. The military top brass, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), held detailed discussions on Azm-e-Istehkam, aimed at “harnessing the national counter terrorism efforts in a synchronized manner to dismantle the nexus of terrorism and illegal spectrum” in pursuit of enduring stability and economic prosperity.
Announced last month after approval by the Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan against terrorism, Azm-e-Istehkam has triggered criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl), which claim it would only lead to further instability. The government has sought to dampen the criticism by maintaining the operation would not require displacement and would focus on intelligence-based operations to tackle terrorism, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to convene an all-parties conference soon to take all parties into confidence.
In its statement, the ISPR said the conference had affirmed that the military leadership was cognizant of the full spectrum of prevailing challenges and resolved to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with support of the resilient people of Pakistan. “The forum underscored that onslaught of politically motivated digital terrorism, unleashed by conspirators, duly abetted by their foreign cohorts against state institutions is meant to induce despondency in the nation and sow discord through peddling of blatant lies, fake news and propaganda,” it said, reaffirming the military’s concerns with social media narratives.
However, it stressed, the armed forces and the entire nation were aware of such machinations and was united and committed in defeating the notorious designs of the enemies of Pakistan.
The meeting’s participants also reiterated their full support for ongoing efforts to uplift socioeconomic growth, as well as wholeheartedly assist the government in curbing all illegal activities hampering investors’ confidence, economic stability and growth.
The forum also deliberated upon the regional security situation, especially Afghanistan, and reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and security. It further expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir and Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations, war crimes and genocide in the war-torn regions.
The Corps Commanders’ Conference, per ISPR, also paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of shuhadas of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and citizens who have laid their lives for peace and stability in the country.
In his concluding remarks, the Army chief expressed full satisfaction with the Army’s commitment to national security and stressed upon maintaining high standards of professionalism and operational preparedness. He stressed that the Pakistan Army has always been fully prepared to thwart all internal and external challenges and play its due role in the stability and prosperity of Pakistan, regardless of the challenges posed.