The military leadership has stressed that "politically motivated and vested digital terrorism” against state institutions is meant to sow discord among national institutions and the people of Pakistan by peddling blatant lies, fake news, and propaganda.
This was highlighted during the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference held at GHQ in Rawalpindi and presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir. It was attended by the corps commanders, principal staff officers, and all formation commanders of the Pakistan Army.
The forum highlighted that "politically motivated and vested digital terrorism, unleashed by conspirators and duly abetted by their foreign cohorts", against state institutions was meant to try to induce despondency in the nation, and sow discord among national institutions, especially the armed forces, and the people of Pakistan by peddling blatant lies, fake news, and propaganda.
According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations, the forum, however, said the nation was fully cognizant of these "ugly and ulterior motives", vowing to “comprehensively defeat” the designs of these nefarious forces.
It also noted that the planners, perpetrators, abettors, and facilitators of the May 9 violence needed to be brought to justice for the collective good of the country. It added that without swift and transparent dispensation of justice to the culprits and establishing the rule of law, stability in the country will ever remain hostage to the machinations of such elements.
The forum further resolved to continue to fully support the government's initiatives in various domains for sustainable economic growth and curbing illegal activities, including smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementation of the One Document Regime, dignified repatriation of illegal foreigners, and safeguarding of the national database.
The forum was briefed on the dynamics of the geostrategic environment, emerging challenges to national security, and the army's strategy to counter multi-domain threats. The participants were also briefed on technological innovations to modernize the army and optimize logistic support for field formations, in line with the fast-evolving operational environment.
It expressed serious concerns over continued cross-border violations from Afghanistan and terrorism being orchestrated using Afghan soil, noting that Pakistan's adversaries were using Afghanistan to target the security forces and civilians inside Pakistan. The commanders also acknowledged the sacrifices of the people of newly merged districts in the war against terrorism and underscored the importance of uplifting these areas to decisively defeat terrorism.
The ISPR said that the forum underlined the need for socio-economic development in Balochistan to counter externally propagated narratives of exclusion, which were exploited by foreign-sponsored proxies to lead the province's youth away from peace and progress.
Reviewing the prevailing situation on the eastern border and the latest extrajudicial murders in India-held Kashmir, the forum expressed complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in UNSC Resolutions.
The forum also expressed concern over the treatment of minorities, especially Muslims, in India and noted the growing fascism being perpetrated to achieve vested political ends. It also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza. It also supported the International Court of Justice's decision to stop Rafah Operation and all other operations within the Gaza Strip.
The COAS appreciated the high standard of training displayed by the formations during various exercises and the excellent performance of officers and troops in counter-terrorism operations. He commended the formations for their high morale and round-the-clock operational readiness.
The participants expressed their complete satisfaction with the steps being taken at the army level for the training, administration, and welfare of serving and retired officers and troops. The forum noted the significant milestone achieved by Pakistan on Youm-e-Takbeer and its stabilizing impact on the region.
The participants also offered prayers and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs, including armed forces officers and personnel, law enforcement agencies, and citizens. It concluded by affirming the resolve to neutralize all threats to the security and stability of the country with the full backing of the proud nation.
