The military’s top brass has noted with concern the “unwarranted” criticism by some quarters and “deliberate misrepresentation” of the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, a statement from the military’s media wing said on Friday.

This came during the 265th Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at GHQ. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir presided over the conference.

Azm-e-Istehkam is a reinvigorated national counter-terrorism campaign, according to the government. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved it last month with the consensus of all stakeholders including provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, at the Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan meeting.

“Azm-i-Istehkam will integrate and synergise multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner,” according to a government statement.

But opposition parties expressed concerns over the operation and called for taking Parliament into confidence before taking any such decision.

At the meeting, the forum reviewed the country’s security situation and discussed various aspects of the counterterrorism campaign, aimed at harnessing the national counter-terrorism efforts in a synchronised manner to dismantle the nexus of terrorism and illegal spectrum in the country for enduring stability and economic prosperity.

“Forum noted with concern the unwarranted criticism by some quarters and deliberate misrepresentation of the vision, only for furthering their vested interests,” the Inter-Services Public Relations statement said.

They also paid tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives for peace and stability in the country.

The top brass also deliberated upon the regional security situation, especially Afghanistan and reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and security.

The forum expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine. It condemned human rights violations, war crimes and genocide in Kashmir and Gaza.

According to the statement, the forum affirmed that military leadership was cognisant of the challenges and resolved to shoulder its “constitutionally mandated responsibilities” with the support of the people of Pakistan.

“The forum underscored that the onslaught of politically motivated digital terrorism, unleashed by conspirators, duly abetted by their foreign cohorts against state institutions is meant to induce despondency in the nation and sow discord through peddling of blatant lies, fake news and propaganda. However, the Armed Forces along with the nation are fully aware of all such machinations and stand united and committed to defeating the notorious designs of the enemies of Pakistan,” it said.

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The army top brass reiterated its support of ongoing efforts to uplift socioeconomic growth and assist the government in curbing illegal activities.

While expressing satisfaction with the army’s commitment to national security, COAS Munir stressed maintaining high standards of professionalism and operational preparedness.

“Pakistan Army has always been fully prepared to thwart all internal and external challenges and play its due role in the stability and prosperity of Pakistan, regardless of the challenges posed,” the army chief said.