Imran, Gen Bajwa meeting: Pak-India tension, militant groups discussed

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had an important meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday and discussed a number of subjects of national significance.

The official release of 24 words didn’t spell out the subjects that came up for discussion but informed sources told The News that the meeting encompassed issues related to national security, especially developments with regard to Indian aggression and Pakistan’s strategy to deal with it.

Gen Bajwa briefed the prime minister about the deliberations of last week’s corps commanders meeting where a resolve was expressed that no group will be allowed to use force since it’s the sole domain of the state.

The security situation of the country was the major subject that came under discussion. The sources pointed out that Prime Minister Imran eulogised the role of the armed forces in dealing with the Indian aggression and thwarting its evil designs.

The prime minister has already made it clear that Pakistan’s armed forces and people are fully prepared and will fight till the end to protect the nation’s independence and sovereignty but they want peace with India and resolution of the disputes through dialogue.

He said Pakistan desired peace and had also sent this message to New Delhi time and again. “We also handed the captured pilot over to India because we do not want war, and also offered cooperation to India after the Pulwama incident.”

The prime minister stated in unequivocal terms that no one should have any misunderstanding in this regard, as these steps were not taken out of fear. “This is the new Pakistan and we want to focus on alleviating poverty.” Imran said all political parties had agreed as part of the 2015 National Action Plan (NAP) that no armed group would be allowed to operate in Pakistan but the plan could not be fully implemented until recently.

“There are people among these groups who have undertaken welfare work, they shouldn’t worry. I know there are groups whose militant wings have already been abolished but we are part of the international community and we will not allow any militant armed group to function here,” he added.

The sources said the army chief also informed the PM about the state of alertness of the armed forces in the face of Indian threat. The prime minister reminded that Pakistan wasn’t partner in escalation but will exercise its basic right to defend if transgressed by the enemy.