Islamic military alliance: ToRs silent on exact role of Pakistan Army

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan says it has so far assured the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) that it is ready to share its experience and capabilities in all four main domains of counter-terrorism i.e. intellectual, information, counter-financing of terrorism and military, through the forum of the IMCTC, which was aimed at enhancing the ability of its member states to counter the scourge of terrorism and extremism, upon their request.
However, the statement does not give details as to what exact role the Pakistan Army will play while mentioning “military”, amongst the “four domains” and what is contained in Terms of Reference (ToRs), especially now that Pakistan has formally joined the coalition.
When questioned by The News, the Foreign Office spokesman responded, “I have asked the authorities for more details on this issue, and will respond once I receive the details”. When asked about the Terms of Reference (ToRs), the spokesman replied that even this information was being gathered.
Neither the cabinet nor Parliament has so far authorized Pakistan to take part in any form of military action on the ground in any foreign country against terrorism, and repeatedly asked for the ToRs but the treasury benches have failed to provide an answer.
Pakistan says it will support and cooperate within the mutually agreed framework of the IMCTC, at a time when Parliament has been questioning the Treasury benches about the Terms of Reference of the IMCTC. Pakistan is also treading a very fine line to balance its relationship with Iran after joining this coalition.
“We remain in close contact with the Iranian leadership at all levels. The latest contact was when the Chief of Army Staff visited Iran on November 6, 2017 and had detailed consultations”, the spokesman remarked at the weekly media briefing, when asked if the government had taken Iran into confidence on its formal entry into the IMCTC. Iran is one of the few countries which have been kept out of the IMCTC, raising concerns about the role of the Saudi led coalition.
“We highlighted Pakistan’s successful counterterrorism operations and the comprehensive National Action Plan. We reiterated our willingness to share our experience with other countries in countering the menace of international terrorism”, the spokesman added”, said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Pakistan while expressing serious concern said it was trying to verify reports that India was using chemical weapons in Indian Occupied Kashmir, before any move can be made to take up the matter with the UN.
“The Indian policy of denying access to any independent observers raises legitimate concerns. Should these reports find credence, this use would constitute a breach of Indian international obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Similar reports had emerged a few months before. We call for independent investigations into such reports, including through OPCW”, he further explained.
This week also saw Hafiz Saeed, pointing to the use of chemical weapons in the Valley. Responding to a query regarding India’s launch of a cruise missile, the spokesman responded, “The recent growth of missile tests by India after its MTCR membership clearly demonstrates its policy of duplicity i.e. paying lip service to the goals of non-proliferation while developing conventional and non-conventional capabilities that not only undermine regional security but are inconsistent with non-proliferation norms as well.” He said that Pakistan had consistently raised serious concerns about these developments as they negatively impact regional security and stability.
“This launch is yet another manifestation of the Indian negative trends. Pakistan continues to stress the need for a meaningful dialogue for confidence building, avoidance of arms race and promotion of strategic stability in South Asia. Pakistan’s proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime for South Asia remains on the table”, he advised.
However, while it is the Foreign Office that every year issues permits to foreigners to hunt for the extinct species of Hobara Bustard which are ruthlessly killed by the Arabs, the spokesman to a query said he did not have the details of the permits and to whom exactly they have been issued.
Pakistan’s foreign relations are closely linked with the countries that are either given or denied these permits over the killing of rare birds. When asked by The News, the spokesman replied, “I have asked for details about this”.