Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has said that the safety of Pakistanis was important and could not be compromised, as the deadline set by the country for the eviction of illegal refugees nears.

“Safety and security of each Pakistani is of paramount importance which cannot be allowed to be compromised at any cost,” he was quoted as saying in a press release shared by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday.

The statement from the military’s media wing said that the COAS was speaking on the subject of repatriation and deportation of illegal foreigners. Pakistan has set a November 1 deadline for such people.

Earlier in the day, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the government has created “holding centres” – temporary camps – to keep any illegal refugees who continue to stay in the country after the deadline.

COAS Munir was addressing the participants of National Security Workshop – 25 at the GHQ, Rawalpindi. Officials briefed the 25 participants on regional and internal security dynamics and the national security environment.

The workshop is an annual event at the National Defence University participated by representatives from all segments of society. The National Security Workshop – 25 is being attended by 98 participants including parliamentarians, senior civil and armed forces officers, and representatives of the civil society.

The participants had an interactive session with the army chief, according to the statement.

“Armed Forces of Pakistan and its security and intelligence setups have fought the menace of Terrorism in an exemplary manner despite sustained and varied support of inimical forces. Success will be ours InshAllah with the continued support of the people of Pakistan,” the army chief said.

COAS Munir emphasised that intelligentsia and civil society have a greater responsibility to ensure that people, especially youth stay aware and steadfast against a “hostile propaganda onslaught being launched through soft offensive” against the state institutions of Pakistan.

Officials also appraised the forum regarding a host of measures being taken to curb activities of the illegal spectrum including smuggling, power theft, narcotics prevalence, border control measures, and repatriation of illegal foreigners from Pakistan.

The army chief highlighted the economic positivity generated by multiple steps, especially the Special Investment Facilitation Cell.

“The Army is fully engaged in enabling National and Provincial responses in different domains in step with other institutions of the state for the collective good of the people of Pakistan. We are a resilient nation that has endured the tests of time on its path to achieving peace and stability,” he said.