ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has urged everyone to stop discussing “Naya” and “Purana” and talk about “our Pakistan”.
He added that the state’s anti-terrorist programme already approved. “This campaign will include all the necessary components of the government like legal, economic, social and foreign besides security institutions,” he said during a Friday in-camera briefing on national security in the National Assembly Hall.
According to those present, Gen Asim remarked, “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.”
Gen Asim greeted parliament and its members on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Constitution while MNAs thumped desks.
“Sovereignty belongs to Almighty Allah and the Constitution has been empowered by the command of Allah Almighty,” he remarked. He said that the Constitution specifies that elected representatives will wield power.
Moreover, Gen Asim briefed parliamentarians for the first time after succeeding Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in November.
While, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, DG ISI, DGMO, key military officials, federal secretaries for interior, foreign, finance, defence, and broadcasting, four provincial chief ministers, as many provincial chief secretaries, and IGs attended the in-camera session.
Moreover, The briefing held amid a resurgence of terrorism and the government’s recent decision to launch a new anti-terrorism campaign.
In light of the ongoing political tensions between the government and the Supreme Court over Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa elections and the chief justice’s authority, it took on greater relevance.
Gen Asim told MNAs that talking to the TTP was a mistake.
Pakistan began TTP talks after the Taliban took over. As a confidence-building gesture, Pakistan permitted hundreds of TTP fighters to return. However, the returning terrorists challenged governmental authority, backfiring.
The administration and establishment have abandoned the previous government’s policy.
Gen Asim said Pakistan’s anti-terrorist effort already approved and underway. “This is not a new operation but a whole of nation approach that reflects the unwavering confidence of the people and includes all elements of the state,” he explained.
“Alhamdulillah, Pakistan has no no-go areas,” the army commander remarked. “Many martyrs and ghazis sacrificed for this success,” he said. “Terrorists must accept state authority.”
“Intelligence-based operations are being conducted on a daily basis” to maintain peace, the army commander stated.
Meanwhile, military leaders discussed internal security. The DGMO briefed the house on Waziristan law and order and counter-terrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz remarked that peace was restored by the “sacrifices of our martyrs” and that the last four years had wasted this hard-won progress.
Why is terrorism back? Who delivered? Where did the cash from all provinces go to end terrorism and restructure Fata? Where did Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s billions go? “These questions must be answered,” he stated.
