Army Vows To Extend 'Necessary Support' To ECP For Elections

Two-day corps commanders' conference resolves all terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan will be dealt with the full might of the state

Army Vows To Extend 'Necessary Support' To ECP For Elections

The military on Thursday resolved to extend all necessary support to the election authorities for the upcoming polls.

This was resolved during a two-day-long Corps Commanders' Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. A statement issued by the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that rChief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Muni chaired the conference.

The forum noted that the requisite and necessary support would be extended to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the forthcoming general elections.

The conference was briefed on the prevalent geo-strategic environment, challenges to national security, the operational preparedness of military divisions and the military's strategy to respond to the evolving threats. 

"The sanctuaries and liberty of action available to the terrorists of proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups of that ilk in a neighbouring country and availability of latest weapons to the terrorists were noted as serious points of concern impacting security of Pakistan," the statement read.

The commanders reiterated the army's resolve to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan against all direct and indirect threats. At the same time, all terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working at the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, will be dealt with the full might of the state.

Forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of martyrs, including officers and soldiers of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and citizens who had laid down their lives to ensure peace and stability in the country. The commanders also offered Fateha for the shuhada, including martyrs of the attacks in DI Khan.

The forum reiterated its support for ongoing efforts to promote socioeconomic growth and encourage foreign investment under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The forum also took a holistic review of the ongoing actions against smuggling, money laundering, power theft and hoarding of essential items, amongst other illegal economic activities. The army vowed to continue providing all-out support to relevant government institutions and LEAs to curb such crimes. 

The military commanders expressed serious concerns over the continued repression and reprehensible human rights violations by Indian military forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Recent incidents of abduction, torture and killing of civilians by the Indian Army were unequivocally condemned by the participants. 

"Such acts constitute grave crimes against humanity and cannot dampen the spirit of the brave Kashmiris who are struggling for their lawful right of self-determination," the military noted, adding that Pakistan will keep supporting its Kashmiri brethren with all political, moral and diplomatic support for resolution of Kashmir issue according to international law and relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The forum also expressed its complete solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned the serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza while reiterating the government's stance of demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

The COAS stressed the need for continuously maintaining operational excellence in cognitive and physical realms and the pursuit of high standards of motivation and training.