Army commanders have stressed the need for bringing “planners, perpetrators, abettors, and facilitators” of May 9 to justice for the collective good of the country.

“Without swift and transparent dispensation of justice to the culprits and establishing the rule of law, stability in the country will ever remain hostage to the machinations of such elements,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement at the conclusion of the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference held at GHQ on Thursday.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir presided over the conference which was attended by corps commanders, principal staff officers, and all formation commanders of the Pakistan Army.

The forum offered prayers and paid tribute to martyrs, including officers and men of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens of Pakistan.

Army men briefed the forum on the dynamics of the geo-strategic environment, emerging challenges to national security, and the army’s strategy to counter multi-domain threats. The participants were also briefed on technological innovations to modernise the army and optimise logistic support to field formations, in line with fast-evolving operational environment.

Cross-border violations from Afghanistan

The formation commanders expressed concerns over continued cross-border violations from Afghanistan and “terrorism being orchestrated using Afghan soil,” noting that Pakistan’s adversaries were using Afghanistan to target security forces and civilians here.

They acknowledged the sacrifices of newly merged districts’ (NMDs) people in the war against terrorism and underscored the importance of uplifting the NMDs to defeat terrorism.

Balochitan’s development

The forum also underlined the need for socio-economic development in Balochistan to counter “externally propagated narratives” of exclusion, exploited by foreign-sponsored proxies to lead the province’s youth away from peace and progress.

IIOJK situation, India, Gaza

While reviewing the eastern border situation and the latest round of extra-judicial murders in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the forum expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the right to self-determination as enshrined in United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The forum showed concern over the treatment of minorities, especially Muslims, in India and noted the “growing fascism” being perpetrated to achieve vested political ends.

They also expressed complete solidarity with Palestinians and condemned serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, supporting the International Court of Justice’s decision to stop Rafah’s operation and all other operations within the Gaza Strip.

‘Digital terrorism’

The military brass underscored that “politically motivated and vested digital terrorism,” unleashed by conspirators duly abetted by their foreign cohorts, against state institutions, was “clearly meant to try to induce despondency” in Pakistan.

The statement added that such attempts were also aimed at sowing discord among national institutions, especially the armed forces, and the people of Pakistan by “peddling blatant lies, fake news, and propaganda.”

But the nation was cognisant of their “ugly and ulterior motives and surely the designs of these nefarious forces” would be defeated, they added.

Sustainable economic development

The army resolved to continue to support the government’s initiatives in various domains for sustainable economic growth and curbing illegal activities, including smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementation of One Document Regime, dignified repatriation of illegal foreigners, and safeguarding of the national database, etc.

COAS Munir appreciated the “high standard” of training displayed by formations during various exercises and the performance of officers and troops in counter-terrorism operations.

Also, read this

Negative propaganda cannot distract nation from working for prosperity: COAS

Terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan pose threat to regional security, says army top brass

Corps Commanders say vested polity’s allegations of interference ‘deplorable’

He commended the formations for their “high morale and round-the-clock” operational readiness.

The participants expressed their complete satisfaction with the steps being taken at the army level for the training, administration, and welfare of serving and retired officers and troops. The forum noted the significant milestone achieved by Pakistan on Youm-e-Takbir and its “stabilising impact” on the region.

The conference concluded by affirming the resolve to “neutralise all threats to the security and stability of the country with the full backing of the proud nation.”