The army top brass has warned of stern action against malicious propaganda campaign meant to demoralise the armed forces, the military media wing said on Tuesday.

“Unfounded and baseless allegations on Law Enforcement Agencies and Security Forces have become a fashion and are part of the larger design to drive a wedge between the people and the Armed Forces of Pakistan,” the Corps Commanders Conference was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

“We will not allow such efforts to succeed and as per the law and constitution, stern action will be ensured”.

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir presided over the Corps Commanders’ Conference held at GHQ.

In its last conference on March 5, the army said that vested small segments of polity and social media have been maligning armed forces with unsubstantiated allegations of interference. They had described it “unfortunate” that the entire focus of such vested elements was on creating political instability and uncertainty by attempting to scapegoat others for their failings.

The CCC called for following due legal processes with evidence and proof rather than resorting to unconstitutional and uncalled-for “baseless political rhetoric and emotional outbursts.”

The forum paid tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs including officers and men of the armed forces, LEAs and the citizens who have laid their lives for peace and stability in the country.

COAS Munir appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Army and LEAs in thwarting several terrorist attacks and neutralising key terrorist commanders during ongoing counterterrorism operations. He directed commanders to “pro-actively deny any space” to the terrorists.

“Armed Forces and LEAs of Pakistan, fully backed by the resilient nation, remain determined to permanently eliminate this menace from Pakistan, INSHA’ALLAH,” the army chief said.

The forum condemned terrorist attacks against Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bisham last month as well as killings of civilians in Balochistan last week.

Army men briefed the conference on how terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan pose a threat to regional and global security, besides acting as proxies against Pakistan and its economic interests, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Pakistan has been dealing with an increase in terrorist activities and insurgency. These are some of the problems the country is facing along with the struggling economy.

The forum expressed serious concern over the ongoing Indian aggression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating that “Pakistan will continue to provide political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.”

The military’s top brass expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious “human rights violations, war crimes and genocide being perpetrated in Gaza.”

Moreover, the conference also expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and noted that a wider regional conflict could ensue if both sides did not de-escalate immediately.

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In reaction to the developments in the ME, the Foreign Office called on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and move towards de-escalation.

The forum resolved to provide full support to the government towards achieving sustainable socioeconomic growth in the country – including wholehearted assistance in countering the illegal spectrum, particularly smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft and safe repatriation of all illegal foreigners.

COAS Munir directed field commanders to ensure the highest standards of operational preparedness and motivation within their outfits and to pursue professional excellence through objective training.