- Terrorist safe havens are “known as one of the major factors affecting the security of Pakistan”.
- COAS says, “We should always be prepared to avoid any danger.”
- Commanders resolve to provide all possible assistance for economic revival: ISPR
Top Pakistani military officials have said that the freedom of action and the safe haven available to terrorists of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other similar groups in Afghanistan is one of the major factors affecting Pakistan’s security.
The statement came after the 258th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held under the chairmanship of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday. ,
“The safe haven and freedom of action available to the terrorists of the banned TTP and other similar groups in the neighboring country and the availability of latest weapons to the terrorists are the major factors affecting the security of Pakistan,” the statement issued by the army said. seen as.” Media Wing.
ISPR said the participants were briefed in detail about the prevailing internal security environment and paid tribute to the supreme sacrifices being made by the brave soldiers in defending their motherland against the menace of terrorism.
The forum discussed in detail the operational preparedness and training aspects of the Army.
ISPR quoted General Munir as saying, “Purposeful training remains the hallmark of our professionalism and we must always be prepared to defend against any threat to our national security.”
Last week, the Pakistan Army said it was gravely concerned that terrorists have found safe havens in the neighboring country and threatened an “effective response” two days after two attacks killed 12 of its soldiers. .
In the statement, the ISPR had said that it is expected that the interim Afghan government, in the true sense and in line with the commitments made in the Doha Agreement, will not allow its soil to be used to spread terror against any country.
“The involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist acts in Pakistan is another important concern that needs to be addressed,” the statement stressed.
The ISPR statement said such attacks are intolerable and will be given an effective response by Pakistan’s security forces.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks after the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021 and called on the interim rulers to take decisive action against terrorists including the TTP responsible for cross-border attacks.
A statistical report released by independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that terrorist activities in the country have increased by 79% during the first half of 2023.
Army pledges all possible support for economic revival
The ISPR said that in the same meeting, the top commanders were also apprised of the government’s economic revival plan and the role of the military in uplifting agriculture, IT, mining and minerals and defense production sectors under the purview of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). .
It added that the participants vowed to fully support the strategic initiatives planned by the government for the revival of the economy by providing all possible technical and management support for the overall betterment of the people of Pakistan.
Last month, the federal government unveiled a detailed ‘Economic Revival Plan’ aimed at tapping Pakistan’s untapped potential in key sectors, fast-tracking development projects and facilitating investments.
Gen Munir was included in a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) constituted by PM Shehbaz for economic revival.
The inclusion of the military in this body – which is headed by the prime minister and includes federal ministers – is aimed at supplementing the government’s efforts to address the economic challenges facing the country.
