Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir presided over the 84th Formation Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ).
The two-day event brought together corps commanders, principal staff officers, and formation commanders of the Pakistan Army to discuss operational readiness and evolving security challenges, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The conference began with a fateha and tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and citizens who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan’s security and sovereignty. Prayers were also offered for the security personnel martyred during the recent PTI protest in Islamabad.
The conference expressed concern over the "malicious propaganda" following the army deployment in Islamabad to secure government buildings during the recent protests and ensure a safe environment for the visiting foreign delegations.
"This pre-planned, coordinated, and premeditated propaganda reflects continuity of a sinister design by certain political elements as an attempt to drive a wedge between the public and the Armed Forces and institutions of Pakistan," the ISPR statement said. It added that such futile attempts, aided by external elements, would never succeed.
The forum urged the government to promulgate and implement stringent law and regulations to curb the spread of fake news and "unfettered and unethical" use of freedom of expression to "spew venom, lies and sow the seeds of polarisation".
"Those spreading fake news for vested political/financial interests need to be identified and brought to justice," the conference noted, adding that the army remained committed to guarding the nation against all external and internal threats "without any bias and political affiliation".
The officers warned that any attempt to pit the public against each other and use violence for vested gains would never be tolerated.
The use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups targeting Pakistan was also noted with concern. The forum urged Afghanistan’s interim government to take tangible steps to prevent such activities, emphasizing that it was in the interest of both neighbouring countries to focus on mutually beneficial engagements instead.
Socioeconomic support and stability
The participants of the conference expressed commitment to supporting the federal and provincial governments' socioeconomic and development efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which included fostering economic growth, cracking down on illegal activities, and eradicating the terror-crime nexus.
Rights violations in Kashmir
The forum strongly condemned human rights violations in India-held Kashmir and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for Kashmiris. Expressing solidarity with Palestinians, participants denounced the atrocities in Gaza and advocated for international legal action to end the aggression.
Security and counterterrorism
Participants reviewed Pakistan’s internal and external security environments and the army’s operational readiness to counter emerging traditional and non-traditional threats. The conference conducted an in-depth analysis of counterterrorism operations, and resolved to intensify efforts to eliminate terrorists, their facilitators, and abettors allegedly working at the behest of hostile elements to destabilise Pakistan.
The forum focused in detail on the operations against terrorists operating inside Balochistan, including BLA Majeed Brigade.
COAS General Asim Munir emphasized professionalism, operational readiness, and the army’s unwavering dedication to ensuring Pakistan’s security and stability. He reaffirmed the institution’s resolve to protect the nation against all threats while remaining apolitical and focused on national interests.
