ECP to get ‘requisite’ support from army

The top military brass said on Thursday they would provide the “requisite and necessary” support to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the upcoming general elections, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The ISPR statement came at conclusion of the corps commanders conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi with Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir in the chair. “The Forum also noted that requisite and necessary support will also be extended to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for forthcoming general elections,” the read the statement.

The general elections are scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024. Tens of thousands of personnel from the law-enforcement agencies as well as from the army would be deployed on the polling day for the smooth conduct of the democratic exercise.

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Observers believe that corps commanders move has furthered dispelled the uncertainty surrounding the general elections, which were otherwise due in November this year but got delayed because of fresh delimitations in view of the new census.

The ISPR said that the forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of the Shuhada, including officers and men of the armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and citizens, who laid down their lives for peace and stability in the country.

The participants also offered Fateha for the Shuhada, including those martyred in the Dera Ismail Khan attack. The military commanders reiterated the Pakistan Army’s resolve to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan against any direct or indirect threats.

They expressed serious concern over the continued repression and reprehensible human rights violations by Indian military forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The recent acts of abduction, torture and killing of civilians by the Indian army were unequivocally condemned by the participants.

“Such acts constitute grave crimes against humanity and cannot dampen the spirit of the brave Kashmiris who are struggling for their lawful right of self-determination. Pakistan would keep supporting its Kashmiri brethren with all political, moral and diplomatic support for resolution of Kashmir issue according to international law and relevant UNSC resolutions,” according to the readout.

The conference was briefed on the prevalent geo-strategic environment, challenges to national security and own strategy in response to evolving threat. The sanctuaries and liberty of action available to the terrorists of proscribed TTP and other groups of that ilk in a neighbouring country and availability of the latest weapons to the terrorists were noted as serious points of concern impacting security of Pakistan.

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They expressed their resolve that all terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working at the behest of hostile forces to destablise Pakistan would be dealt with with full might of the state. The forum expressed full solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, while reiterating the government’s stance of demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

The top generals reiterated their support for the ongoing efforts to promote socioeconomic growth and encouraging foreign investment under the umbrella of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). They also took holistic review of the ongoing actions being taken against smuggling, money laundering, power theft and hoarding of essential items amongst other illegal economic activities.

The ISPR said that Pakistan army would continue to provide all-out support to the relevant government institutions and the LEAs to curb such crimes. The forum was briefed on operational preparedness of the formations. The army chief stressed the need for continuously in maintaining operational excellence in cognitive and physical realms and pursuit of the high standards of motivation and training.