Rebuff to White House report: Military satisfied with counter-terror efforts
Army chief praises transition to civilian control in Shangla and Buner .
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s top military commanders on Friday expressed satisfaction over the country’s counter-terrorism strategy in an apparent rebuff to a recent White House report that claims Islamabad lacks clear direction to fight militants.
The statement was issued after the a meeting of the corps commanders chaired by Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to review the current security situation.
The meeting came a day after the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) General James N Mattis held talks with Gen Kayani in an effort to overcome differences on certain issues between Washington and Islamabad.
“The forum was given comprehensive briefings on internal and external security challenges Pakistan is facing,” said a statement issued by the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR). “The COAS in his remarks expressed satisfaction over the conduct of stability operations in the tribal areas and appreciated beginning of transition to civilian control in Shangla and Buner,” it added.
Gen Kayani’s remarks contradicted the White House report that criticised Pakistan’s efforts to fight militants along the Afghan border.
“We have already stated that Pakistan does not share the US assessment and the Army chief’s statement is in line with that policy,” said a security official.
Pakistan rejected the report and said the country should not be held responsible for the West’s failings in Afghanistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2011.
Pakistan’s top military commanders on Friday expressed satisfaction over the country’s counter-terrorism strategy in an apparent rebuff to a recent White House report that claims Islamabad lacks clear direction to fight militants.
The statement was issued after the a meeting of the corps commanders chaired by Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to review the current security situation.
The meeting came a day after the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) General James N Mattis held talks with Gen Kayani in an effort to overcome differences on certain issues between Washington and Islamabad.
“The forum was given comprehensive briefings on internal and external security challenges Pakistan is facing,” said a statement issued by the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR). “The COAS in his remarks expressed satisfaction over the conduct of stability operations in the tribal areas and appreciated beginning of transition to civilian control in Shangla and Buner,” it added.
Gen Kayani’s remarks contradicted the White House report that criticised Pakistan’s efforts to fight militants along the Afghan border.
“We have already stated that Pakistan does not share the US assessment and the Army chief’s statement is in line with that policy,” said a security official.
Pakistan rejected the report and said the country should not be held responsible for the West’s failings in Afghanistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2011.