In-camera security session at NA: Army to support elected reps for Pakistan’s progress, says COAS

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Friday said it was for the elected representatives of people to determine the destination and the Pakistan Army would fully support them in the journey of development and progress of Pakistan, it is learnt.

Speaking during an in-camera national security session at the National Assembly hall, the army chief said there was no lack of resources in Pakistan, however, “we should leave the debate of new and old Pakistan and talk about ‘Our Pakistan.”

The COAS said the armed forces were ready for maintaining durable peace in the country and in that regard intelligence-based operations were underway in the wake of recent resurgence of terrorism.

He stressed that besides the security agencies, all the government departments, whether legal, economic, social or external etc would have to join the campaign against anti-state elements.

“This is not a new operation but it is a continuation of the already approved state strategy. It reflects the whole of the nation approach and the unwavering confidence of the people,” he added.

The COAS said with the blessings of Allah Almighty, at the time there was no “no-go area” in Pakistan. “Behind this success”, he said, there were the sacrifices of a large number of martyrs and ghazis, who had shed their blood.

“More than 80,000 people have given sacrifices, including over 20,000 Ghazis and more than 10,000 martyrs,” he added.

He underlined that terrorists had no other option but to accept the writ of the state. The negotiations with the terrorists had resulted in emergence of more terrorist groups, he regretted.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Naval Staff Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, DG ISI and DG MI were also present.

Earlier, sources said the parliamentarians welcomed the army chief in the National Assembly thumping the desk.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the in-camera briefing, held the previous regime responsible for resurgence of terrorists in the country to play with peace which was achieved by rendering sacrifices. --APP