COAS reassures border with Afghanistan safe

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday told members of parliament that Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan was “secure” owing to timely steps taken to avert the fallout of unrest in the neighbouring country.

The Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) to get a briefing from the army chief about the current situation in Afghanistan. It was the first security briefing by the military authorities to the parliamentarians since the Taliban took over Kabul.

Earlier, the army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chiefs had held similar briefings with the parliamentarians prior to the capture of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban. Since then, things have taken a drastic turn, fuelling fears about the new geopolitical configurations and what they meant for Pakistan.

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With the US and foreign forces set to pull out their last soldiers from the war-ravaged country on August 31 (today), the security situation is seen as highly uncertain with parliamentarians expressing concerns over the future of the region.

Nonetheless, during Monday’s briefing, the army chief seemed satisfied and content with the “timely measures” taken at the border to safeguard the country’s interests in case of any eventuality.
A statement issued by the military’s media wing said that the army chief told the parliamentarians that due to “our timely steps for western zone border management, Alhamdolillah today, despite challenges Pakistan’s borders are secure and we are prepared to meet any situation”.

Pakistan has fenced almost 90% of 2,600 kms long porous and rugged border with Afghanistan. It has also put in place a border mechanism that regulates the movement of people. Since the fall of Kabul, Pakistan has moved regular troops to the designated crossing points to prevent any untoward incidents. At a recent media briefing, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also said the situation along the western border was “normal and under control”.

The army chief, according to the ISPR, gave a detailed briefing on the security environment, including the situation on the borders and the Pakistan army’s efforts for peace and stability. The delegation also had an exhaustive interactive session with General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

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“COAS said that Pakistan Armed Forces, with support of the nation, have achieved unprecedented successes in the fight against terrorism and bringing normalcy in the country,” the ISPR statement read.
Alluding to the benefits of regional connectivity, the army chief highlighted the importance of the restoration of peace in Afghanistan for sustainable development of the region.

General Qamar also reiterated Pakistan army’s support and commitment to the Kashmir cause and the people of Kashmir. The world must know that without peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, peace and stability would remain elusive, COAS reiterated.

The session concluded with a resolve to continue the struggle against violent extremism through a synergetic, whole-of-the-nation approach, according to the statement.