report in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2023.
RAWALPINDI: Top military commanders on Thursday said the country had witnessed an increasing sense of stability, certainty and optimism in recent months despite challenges, resolving that “vested effort” towards “engineering of despondency” would be defeated through perseverance and continued positive actions, with the support of the people of Pakistan.
The statement came at the conclusion of 82nd Formation Commanders’ Conference presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the conference was attended by corps commanders, principal staff officers, and all the formation commanders of the army.
The participants affirmed that Pakistan Army would continue defending and serving the nation in every possible way in the journey towards enduring stability and security. The forum urged the proud people of Pakistan to stay determined and united.
The forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs, including officers and men of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and Pakistani citizens.
The participants were briefed on professional matters, national security challenges, and measures being undertaken to counter traditional and non-traditional security threats. The forum took a holistic view of the ongoing counter-terrorism operations and resolved that all terrorists, their facilitators, and abettors, working on the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan would be dealt with the full might of the state.
The army chief expressed satisfaction over operational preparedness and high standards of training and morale maintained by formations to deal with the emerging threat paradigm. The forum expressed unequivocal diplomatic, moral, and political support to the people of Palestine, reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance supporting the two-state solution, based on pre-1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as the capital of Palestine.
The participants also expressed concerns over the continued repression of Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), condemning the unabated human rights violations by Indian forces. The forum reaffirmed that Pakistan shall continue to support Kashmiris politically, diplomatically, and morally. Participants stressed that the only solution to the issue lied in providing the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir according to relevant UNSC resolution.
The forum resolved to fully support the government’s initiatives in various domains for sustainable recovery of the economy and curbing illegal activities, including smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementation of one document regime, dignified repatriation of illegal foreigners and safeguarding of national database. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447736/army-vows-to-defeat-attempt-at-creating-despondency
