Top military huddle reiterates resolve to ensure writ of state

Military leadership vows to continue its efforts for bringing enduring peace to the country

ISLAMABAD: Top military commanders on Tuesday vowed to support all state institutions for ensuring writ of the state and rule of law in a telling statement given against the backdrop of recent violent protests by Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP).

Presided over by Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the corps commanders conference emphasised that the country’s peace, stability and prosperity hinged on the writ of state and rule of law.

Although there was no explicit mention of the TLP protests in the wake of acquittal of Aasia Bibi by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the top brass’s statement clearly aimed at those who challenged writ of the state.

The three-day protests were called off after the government and the TLP reached an understanding. However, opposition parties and many others called it a surrender. They said the government should not have let a handful of people off the hook, who openly incited people to violence and issued death threats against the Supreme Court judges.

CCC at GHQ. Geo-strat envmt & security situation of the country reviewed. Progress of ongoing operations, fencing along Pak-Afg Border, situation along Eastern Border including Indian ceasefire violations deliberately targeting innocent citizens were also discussed. (1 of 2). pic.twitter.com/Treft40iki

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 13, 2018

The government, however, insisted that it never wanted to use force and hence it preferred negotiations. Nevertheless, it said those who took law into their own hands would be taken to task. It is not clear, though, if the government will proceed against Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Peer Afzal Qadri.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the corps commanders expressed their resolve for a continued support to all state institutions for ensuring writ of the state and the rule of law in which lies the peace, stability and prosperity of the country.

The forum reiterated to continue its efforts for bringing enduring peace in the country while supporting all initiatives towards regional peace.

Meanwhile, the corps commanders reviewed geo-strategic environment and security situation of the country. “Progress of ongoing operations, fencing along Pak-Afg border, situation along Eastern Border including Indian ceasefire violations deliberately targeting innocent citizens were also discussed.”

Efforts to continue for enduring peace in the country while supporting all initiatives towards regional peace. Forum expressed its resolve for continued support to all state institutions for ensuring writ of the state and rule of law. (2 of 2). pic.twitter.com/1aRfXHPNhU

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 13, 2018