Army vows to foil malicious politics

Pakistan's top military leadership on Wednesday vowed to deal decisively with all terrorists and their facilitators, warning that no political or other vested interests would be allowed to undermine national unity, security and stability.

The resolve was expressed during the 273rd Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and chaired by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

At the outset, the forum offered Fateha for the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians who lost their lives in recent terrorist incidents while defending the motherland against what it termed foreign-sponsored terrorism.

The COAS paid rich tribute to the unwavering courage, professionalism and sacrifices of the armed forces and lauded their resolute conduct in sustained, intelligence-based counterterrorism operations carried out across the country in recent months.

He said that owing to the combined efforts of the government, the military and the steadfast support of the people of Pakistan, the country was "steadily and surely leaping towards stability, greater opportunities and respect".

The conference undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and external security environment, with particular emphasis on evolving threats and operational preparedness. Participants reaffirmed that all terrorists operating under the tutelage of Indian sponsors, along with their facilitators and abettors, would be dealt with decisively and without exception.

The forum also categorically rejected what it described as a nexus between terrorism, crime and vested political interests.

It resolved that no malicious interest, political or otherwise, aimed at undermining national unity, security and stability would be tolerated and that no one would be allowed to create divisions between the armed forces and the people of Pakistan.

The commanders appreciated the Balochistan Special Development Initiatives focused on local empowerment and social engagement to address terrorism-related governance challenges. They noted the need for similar public-centric initiatives in other parts of the country as well, in line with the National Action Plan, to ensure enduring peace and stability.

On regional and international issues, the forum underscored Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. It also reaffirmed Pakistan's principled position on Palestine, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, and a credible pathway towards Palestinian statehood.

In his concluding remarks, Field Marshal Asim Munir directed commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, training, physical fitness, technological innovation and battlefield adaptability.

He expressed full confidence in the army's capability to effectively counter the complete spectrum of threats, ranging from conventional and sub-conventional to hybrid and asymmetric challenges while steadfastly safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.