No one dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan, army chief hits back at India

DG ISPR says army chief took serious notice of recent statements by Indian politicans

Taking note of recent anti-Pakistan rhetoric by Indian politicians, Army chief General Raheel Sharif warned on Wednesday that Pakistan will defeat their designs and defend Pakistan's territorial integrity at any cost.

“No one should dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan,” the army chief was quoted as saying by DG ISPR Asim Bajwa.

Reiterated resolve to defeat their designs,defend Pak's territorial integrity at any cost.None should dare to cast an evil eye on Pak-7/7

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

A high-level huddle of the top military commanders at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi warned India not to resort to any ‘misadventure’ against Pakistan.

The stern warning from the top brass came hours after Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore warned that Indian strikes in Myanmar were a message to all countries, including Pakistan and groups harbouring ‘terror intent’ that India would strike at the ‘place and at a time’ of its choosing.

Read: India will strike enemies at 'place and time' of its choosing, says minister

Taking strong exception to a series of threats from India, formation commanders’ conference presided over by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif made it clear that Pakistan was ready to defeat Indian ‘designs’ and defend the territorial integrity.

“The forum took serious notice of the recent Indian hostile rhetoric coupled with covert and overt actions to destabilize Pakistan,” the military’s media wing said.

Forum Took serious notice of recent Indian hostile rhetoric coupled with their covert & overt actions to destabilise Pak-5/7

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

It was termed as  highly regrettable that Indian politicians not only indulge in actions that are in violation of the United Nations’ Charter but also take pride in claiming  their interference in the internal affairs of other states, it added.

Regrettable,Indian politicians not only indulge in actions violating UN Charter,also take pride in claiming interference in others affairs-6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

The forum was given comprehensive briefings on security environment and professional issues.

The army chief’s statement comes at a time of verbal exchange between the two countries.

During his visit to Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only accused Pakistan of spreading terrorism in India but also admitted that India had played a part in the break-up of Pakistan in 1971.

In his address, the army chief while recounting the successes of security forces in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, paid rich tributes to the officers and men for phenomenal successes in the operation and sacrifices they have rendered for the defence of the motherland.

He said, terrorists have been cleared and dislodged from their strongholds in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency and fight now is moving into last few pockets close to Afghan border.

Laying emphasis on continuation of operations till elimination of the last expected and probable terrorists groups and sanctuaries, he exhorted commanders to take all measures to prevent escape of trapped terrorists.

With nation behind us,will remain focused to achieve terror free&peaceful Pak.Collective aim to make Pak secure,strong&prosperous country-4

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

Reviewing ops;Ops to continue till elimination of last terror group & last sanctuary.Escape of entrapped terrorists will not be allowed-3/7

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

“With entire nation standing behind, we will remain focused on achieving the objective of a terror free and peaceful Pakistan,” he upheld.

Reviewing ops;With terrorists dislodged from strongholds in NWA,Khyber,fight now moving to last few pkts close to Pak-Afgn Border-2/7

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

Underscoring Pakistan’s multiple and complicated challenges, General Raheel  expressed his optimism, saying that the nation is the most resilient nation in the world and is already on its way to emerge victorious out of these testing times.

“Our main collective aim is to make Pakistan a secure, strong and prosperous country,” he said.

Formation Comd Conf,#COAS chaired.Reviewed ops progress.Tribute to offrs,men for sacrifices,phenomenal gains in ops-1 pic.twitter.com/w6e2NcJLgu

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 10, 2015

Army chief assures China of CPEC's smooth completion 

Earlier today, Army chief General Raheel Sharif assured Chinese authorities on Wednesday that there would be no hurdles in the completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The army chief said maximum security has been put in place for the completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

General Raheel’s statement during a meeting with Chinese Vice Minister of Ministry of State Security Dong Haizhou at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

"Matters relating to bilateral interest, regional security and security of CPEC came under discussion during the meeting," an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.

Read: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Lines of development – not lines of divide

Security matters in regard to the project were discussed between the two. “China attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan, and early completion of the project would not only benefit Pakistan and China but also the entire region,” Haizhou was quoted as saying.

China and Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on July 5, 2013. The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China.

The CPEC, which will be constructed from 2014 to 2030, talks about integrated links to Chinese One Road, One Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Route. With active consultation of Chinese authorities, Pakistan has prepared a plan to construct three corridors, the western alignment, the central alignment and the eastern alignment. The last one has been picked for development in the first phase.

However, India has strongly opposed the corridor between China and Pakistan. Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “very strongly” raised the issue regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during his recent visit to Beijing, and termed the project “unacceptable”.

Read: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 'unacceptable', Modi tells China

Further, Swaraj communicated Modi’s concerns regarding the $46 billion project, and said that the Indian government had summoned a Chinese envoy to apprise over the corridor that is to run through Pakistani Kashmir.

Earlier, Chinese authorities cautioned local authorities of a possible terror attack aimed at making the project a failure.

According to them, insurgents in Balochistan have prompted security fears for the 3,000-kilometre-long route in the province, a senior security official had told The Express Tribune.

Read: Baloch ire prompts security fears for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

He said in addition to the insurgents, many foreign hostile intelligence agencies could also extend their support to the militants to sabotage some key projects particularly on the eastern alignment — Gwadar to Quetta — where work has already started.

Read: RAW at frontline to sabotage Economic Corridor, China warns Pakistan