Military top brass vows ‘zero tolerance’ to Sialkot-like incidents

The top military brass on Wednesday vowed to show "zero tolerance" to incidents like the lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot, saying “extremism and terrorism will not be tolerated”.

"Taking note of the heinous lynching incident in Sialkot, the forum unequivocally affirmed zero tolerance for such elements so as to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country," said a statement issued by the military's media wing after two days of Corps Commanders conference presided over by Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi.

The statement came against the backdrop of lynching of a Sri Lankan national by factory workers in Sialkot, accusing him for blasphemy.

The incident drew a national condemnation, with Prime Minister Imran Khan pledging not to ever allow such extremist elements to take law into their own hand. Religious clerics from all schools of thought also condemned the incident and visited the Sri Lankan High Commission to pay respect to the departed soul.

The Corps Commanders' resolve to show zero tolerance to such incidents indicates that the civil and military leadership realise the danger posed by such extremist elements.

The army chief already condemned the lynching and offered all possible assistance to civil authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, the Corps Commanders reviewed global, regional and domestic security milieu.

Also read: PM Imran hosts Sialkot tragedy hero in Islamabad

Expressing satisfaction over the security measures along the borders, COAS emphasised on maintaining high vigil to guard against any threat.

Referring to the brewing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the COAS said continuous support and timely international humanitarian assistance are imperative for not only peace and prosperity of Afghanistan but also stability of the region at large.

Pakistan is increasingly worried that the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan will not just threaten regional but international stability.

It is hosting extraordinary meeting of the OIC foreign ministers later this month to discuss the situation, hoping the international community will help avert the economic collapse of Afghanistan.

According to the ISPR, the army chief, expressing satisfaction over the ongoing training activities in the army said objective evaluation of the doctrine and training is necessary to evolve and meet emerging challenges in a technology-driven future battlefield.