Pakistan Army’s top brass vowed to end terrorism in the country by following a “whole-of-the-system” approach which was approved by the government.
The resolve was expressed at the 257th Corps Commanders Conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. It was presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
According to the press statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations, the forum reviewed the domestic and regional environment including external and internal security challenges Pakistan confronts.
Rawalpindi, 14 April 2023: General Syed Asim Munir, COAS presided the 257th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at GHQ today. The forum reviewed domestic and regional environment including external and internal security challenges Pakistan confronts. @OfficialDGISPR pic.twitter.com/qczLB8W0zL
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 15, 2023
The forum affirmed that the military leadership is cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges and it “resolves to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan”.
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It also reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to fully support national responses against internal and external threats.
The forum emphasised that there was a need to adopt a “whole-of-the-nation and whole-of-the-government approach to eradicate the menace of terrorism on a long-term basis”.
Ever since the TTP ended its ceasefire with Pakistan, terror attacks within the country have increased alarmingly. TTP continues to attack security forces in Pakistan. Last Saturday, a roadside bomb was exploded in northwest Pakistan, killing two soldiers who were travelling in their vehicle. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack.
To counter the wave of terrorism, the government said that it will carry out a massive anti-terrorist operation across the country within the coming weeks. The National Security Committee, comprising the prime minister and the military’s top brass, agreed to re-launch the operation this month under a national action plan.
Meanwhile, on Friday, speaking during the National Assembly session a day earlier, COAS Munir said that the negotiations with militants in the past helped terrorists regroup in the country.
Read more: The genesis of terrorism in Pakistan – Lt Gen (retd) Tariq Khan
His comments were reflective of the NSC meeting which took place last week.The army chief said the campaign will include representation not only from the security agencies but also from all departments of the government.
“This is not a new operation but a whole nation approach,” the COAS said while adding that terrorists have no other option but to accept the state’s writ.