RAWALPINDI: The military leadership has highlighted that there was a need to adopt a ‘whole of nation’ and ‘whole of government’ approach to ‘eradicate the menace of terrorism’, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.
According to the military’s media wing, the 275th Corps Commanders’ Conference, presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, was held at the army general headquarters (GHQ) and the forum reviewed the domestic and regional situation, including the external and internal security challenges faced by Pakistan.
The forum reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to ‘fully support national responses’ against threats. It maintained that while security forces were undertaking intelligence-based operations in areas along the western border, there was a need for the nation and government to adopt an approach that would aid in the elimination of terrorism.
It continued that the focused counter-terrorism campaign as approved by the government, which involved a systemic approach, would lead toward eradicating terrorism, extremism, and instability in the country.
The ISPR added that the forum also expressed its ‘assurance’ to pursue the goals set by the National Security Council to turn the tide against terrorism through the coordinated application of all elements of national power.
It affirmed that the military leadership was cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges and it resolves to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan.
‘Naya, Purana Pakistan’
The conference occurred shortly after the army chief called upon everyone to give up the debate of “Naya” and “Purana” and instead talk about “our Pakistan”.
He also explained that the current campaign against terrorists was part of the already approved strategy of the state. “This campaign will include all the necessary components of the government like legal, economic, social and foreign besides security institutions,” he said during an in-camera briefing on the national security situation in the National Assembly Hall on Friday.
According to sources privy to the session, Gen Asim said, “The elected representatives of people should determine the country’s destination, and the army will fully support them in the journey to development and success.”
