Army top brass slams politically-motivated drive to blur May 9 riots

Commanders dismayed at ‘unsubstantiated allegations’ of interference in electoral process

RAWALPINDI:

Top military commanders reiterated their commitment on Tuesday that planners, instigators, abettors, perpetrators and desecrators of martyrs’ monuments and attackers of military installations on May 9, 2023 would certainly be brought to justice under the relevant provisions of the law and Constitution.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement the Corps Commanders’ Conference noted with concern the spread of organised misinformation and fake news by certain nefarious elements to sow despondency and divisions within the society.

The meeting, held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir in the chair, urged the proud people of Pakistan to remain positive and united and wholeheartedly participate in the progress and development of the country.

“Malicious efforts to create distortions, confusion and disinformation are absolutely futile and only part of an organised campaign being launched for narrow political interests, to blur the abhorrent activities that took place,” the ISPR said in a statement.

The participants of the conference, according to the media wing of the military, affirmed that the Pakistan Army would continue defending and serving the nation in every possible way in the journey towards enduring stability, prosperity and security.

The forum noted that the armed forces of Pakistan, at great peril to their primary responsibility, provided a security environment for the conduct of the general election 2024 as per the given mandate, and had nothing to do with the electoral process.

However, the forum expressed dismay that some vested small segments of polity and media, especially social media, had been maligning the armed forces with unsubstantiated allegations of interference which was highly deplorable.

“It’s unfortunate that rather than focusing on real issues such as good governance, economic recovery, political stability and public wellbeing, the entire focus of such vested elements is on creating political instability and uncertainty by attempting to scapegoat others for their own failings,” the statement said.
The Corps Commanders’ Conference emphasised that due legal processes should be followed with evidence and proof rather than resorting to unconstitutional and uncalled-for baseless political rhetoric and emotional outbursts.

The forum noted with satisfaction the smooth democratic transition of power at the Centre and in the provinces. The participants hoped that the post-election environment would bring in the desired political and economic stability, resulting in peace and prosperity for the people of Pakistan.

The forum strongly believed that democratic consolidation was the way forward for the country, the ISPR said. It affirmed that military leadership was cognisant of the full spectrum of the challenges and threats and it remains committed to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan.

The forum reiterated its commitment to continue providing full support to the government in combating security threats and uplifting the socio-economic development of the country, including wholehearted assistance in curbing all illegal activities, including smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementation of one document regime and respectable and safe repatriation of all illegal foreigners.
The military leadership paid rich tributes to the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs, including officers and men of the armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and the citizens, who laid down their lives for ensuring peace and stability in the country.

The forum resolved that the terrorists and their facilitators, working at the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, would be dealt with with full might of the state, the ISPR said, adding that the army chief directed commanders to continue consolidating gains of efforts against terrorism and militancy.
The forum expressed concerns over the continued repression of the Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and condemned the unabated human rights violations by India. The forum reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiris politically, diplomatically and morally at all levels.

The forum also expressed complete solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza. “The Palestinian people have unequivocal diplomatic, moral and political support of the Pakistani nation and we will continue to support the principled stance of our brethren for enduring resolution of the Palestinian issue,” COAS said.

The forum appreciated the efforts of civil administration, law-enforcement agencies and security forces for providing all-out assistance during the general elections in the light of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) guidelines for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds.

The army chief asked the field commanders to continue maintaining high standards of professionalism, operational preparedness and motivation during operations and achieving excellence during training of the formations.