Pak-Afghan border to have barbed fence

Operation Raddul Fasaad to be expedited; decision on reinstatement of military courts rests with govt; Dawn Leaks, census, CPEC discussed in corps commanders conference; COAS says operations not targeting particular race, sect or group

RAWALPINDI: The corps commanders conference chaired by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Thursday vowed to carry out barbed fencing of the Pak-Afghan border. 

The conference expressed confidence over the performance of military courts observing that the decision for reinstatement of courts rests with the government. "The forum expressed its confidence on performance of military courts. However, decision for reinstatement of military courts rests with the government," the ISPR said while releasing details of the 200th Corps Commanders Conference.

The constitutional amendment bill for reinstatement of military courts and Army Act bill will be tabled in the National Assembly on today (Friday) as the government and the opposition parties have reached a consensus after series of meetings of a joint parliamentary committee.

The meeting took up a lengthy agenda, including operation Raddul Fasaad, situation along Pak-Afghan border and Line of Control (LoC) and progress of the National Action Plan (NAP). "The forum reviewed geo-strategic and security environment with special focus on internal security, Pak-Afghan border situation and Indian ceasefire violations along the LoC and working boundary," the ISPR said, adding the Dawn Leaks issue was also discussed.

General Bajwa, during the conference, maintained that operation Raddul Fasaad is a comprehensive across-the-board operation against terrorists and terrorism and not against any particular race, sect or group. The meeting hailed the performance of security forces including police, intelligence and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for effective response to recent terrorist incidents and security arrangements for the PSL final at Lahore.

The COAS also apprised the participants about his visits to the UAE and Qatari leadership which remained successful in making positive progress. The forum also acknowledged participation and support by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Navy (PN) in ongoing operations.

The progress of NAP was also discussed. The forum concluded that through operation Raddul Fasaad, implementation of NAP needs to be expedited jointly by respective stakeholders for lasting peace and stability in the country.

The COAS also informed the participants about discussion during the last security conference with government authorities which included phased fencing of Pak-Afghan border, repatriation of Afghanrefugees, judicial, police and madrassa, educational institution reforms and restarting execution of death sentences to terrorists awarded by military courts. The forum also reviewed the Pakistan Army's support in conducting the Sixth Housing and Population Census 2017. The COAS said the army shall undertake this task as a national service.

The conference observed that hostile agencies are trying to undo Pakistan's gains in security and development, especially the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged that their designs will be defeated through whole of the nation approach. “The forum reiterated resolve of the Pakistan Army to play its due role towards defence and security of the motherland. Sacrifices made by resilient people of Pakistan and its brave security forces shall not go waste, Insha’Allah," the ISPR said.