COAS briefs commanders about ‘tough economic steps’

Top military huddle discusses regional and national security


Our Correspondent July 03, 2019

RAWALPINDI:

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa took corps commanders into confidence on Wednesday over the government’s tough but necessary steps to fix the country’s economy.

The chief of army staff (COAS) was chairing the 222nd Corps Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The forum also discussed geo-strategic, regional and national security environment, the media wing of the military said.

“The COAS apprised the forum about difficult but extremely essential long term beneficial measures taken by the government for improving and strengthening national economy,” read the ISPR statement.

CCC at GHQ. Geo Strategic, regional and national security environment including India, Afghanistan, Iran, ongoing internal security operations and actions against proscribed organisations discussed. (1 of 2). pic.twitter.com/2Mjy91neA4

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 3, 2019 ">


“Pakistan is on positive trajectory of peace and development and shall carry forward the same towards enduring peace and prosperity”, the statement quoted Gen Bajwa as saying at the meeting.

According to the ISPR, the geo-strategic, regional and national security environment, including India, Afghanistan and Iran; ongoing internal security operations and action against proscribed organisations were discussed.

The statement comes weeks after the government included the army chief in the National Development Council (NDC), formed to accelerate economic growth and improve coordination among the provinces and the federation.

The newly-formed body will set policies and chalk out strategies for development and also provide guidelines for improving regional cooperation, according to an official statement.

Forum apprised about difficult but extremely essential long term beneficial measures taken by govt for improving & strengthening national eco.“Pakistan is on positive trajectory of peace & dev and shall carry forward the same towards enduring peace & prosperity”, COAS.(2 of2). pic.twitter.com/MtFY7N7wak

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 3, 2019 ">


The chief ministers will also be invited to the council’s meetings, it added.

Last week, while addressing participants of a national seminar titled ‘Pakistan’s Economy: Challenges and Way Forward’, Gen Qamar had stated that there cannot be any sovereignty in the absence of economic autonomy.

“While the country is going through a difficult economic situation, everyone needs to fulfill their responsibilities so that the initiatives taken by the government succeed,” he added.

PM, army chief part of body formed for economic revival

The seminar was organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad on June 28.

The summit dilated on ways of overcoming budget deficit, low tax collection base, circular debt, loss-ridden public sector enterprises, fiscal indiscipline, undocumented economy, weak institutional capacity, low exports, meeting federal obligations within existing NFC arrangements and the perceptions surrounding the prevailing economic environment.

The army chief had endorsed the undeniable link between security and economy, stating both directly complement each other.

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