Military brass vows to eliminate terrorism

Corps commanders underscore the need for indiscriminate action against terrorism

ISLAMABAD: The top military commanders said on Tuesday that the scourge of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism could only be uprooted through effective implementation of the National Action Plan, which was adopted following the December 16 massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar.

At a meeting chaired by army chief General Raheel Sharif at the GHQ, the corps commanders also underscored the need for indiscriminate action against terrorism. They pledged that efforts to eradicate terrorism would continue till the achievement of desired objectives. The meeting also approved the mechanism for the newly formed military courts.

The military leaders also discussed ways to expand the scope of military training to the police and other law-enforcement agencies across the country.

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the participants, apart from discussing professional matters, also reviewed the internal and external security situation of the country. They discussed operations Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber-I and observed that the army was fully prepared to tackle all internal and external challenges.

Sources said issue like Pakistan-India border tension, the situation in Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama’s recent visit to India and the army chief’s China trip also came under discussion. It was observed that Pakistan wanted good relations with all its neighbours but would give a befitting response to any aggression. The army chief will also hold a meeting of the Army Promotion Board today (Wednesday) and will discuss cases of high-level promotions from brigadier to major general rank.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2015.