Top military commanders review security situation at GHQ huddle

Also discusses regional situation post-Trump plan for South Asia and Radd-ul-Fasaad progress

ISLAMABAD: Top military commanders on Friday met in Rawalpindi to review the internal and external security situation of the country with focus on recent developments, including President Donald Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The Corps Commanders Conference was presided over by Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) – the military’s media wing – said the forum discussed internal and external security situation of the country as well as progress on operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

Unlike in the past, the ISPR only issued a brief statement.

Official sources, however, said a part of the discussions was the evolving regional security situation in the wake of the new US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.



Trump, in his policy speech on August 21, had singled out Pakistan for not doing enough in the fight against terrorism. He had alleged that Pakistan provided support to certain militant groups, including Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, and asked Islamabad to change its approach.

Pakistan has rejected these allegations and insists that the country’s counter-terrorism campaign targeted militant from all groups. The Trump strategy also prompted the Pakistan government to undertake a review of its foreign policy.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan would have to bring a “paradigm shift” in its foreign policy in view of the rapidly changing scenario at the regional and international front. However, he clarified that Pakistan was not seeking divorce with the US but from now on the Pakistan-US relationship would be driven by the country’s national interests.

The Army Chief, in his speech at the GHQ on the Defence Day, had said Pakistan would be ready to support the US and Nato for peace and stability in Afghanistan. However, he also made it clear that Pakistan’s security concerns should also be addressed.

Pakistan is upset at a greater role for India in Afghanistan in the new US strategy for the region. Islamabad has long suspected that India has been using the Afghan soil to create instability in Pakistan.

Experts on the regional affairs believe that increased Indian footprint in Afghanistan could ignite fresh regional tensions and further deteriorate ties between Islamabad and New Delhi. Pakistan has already decided to reach out to regional players, including China, Russia, Iran and Turkey, in an effort to garner their support in view of the evolving situation.