RAWALPINDI - The military’s top brass on Wednesday undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing external and internal security situation especially along the Western border and professional matters.
According to ISPR, Corps Commanders Conference was held at General Headquarters with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif in the chair.
It said that the issue of drawdown of ISAF from Afghanistan with its implications on the security situation along the bordering region was also discussed.
The army chief appreciated own troops for additional security measures along Pak-Afghan border to assist our Afghan brethren in conduct of smooth presidential elections.
The forum also comprehensively reviewed army’s large-scale involvement in security, development and rehabilitation works in various parts of the country. The COAS commended the efforts despite serious security and administrative challenges.
Although there was no word in the ISPR statement, it was learnt that the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) came under discussion.
The army chief took the commanders into confidence over government’s initiative to engage TTP and the commanders expressed their views about TTP and its holding of many people hostage.
Meanwhile, speculations were rife in the capital about pressure building up on Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif to relinquish his additional charge of Ministry of Defence. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to review the role of Khawaja Asif after his return from China.
Khawaja Asif became the centre stage of criticism from various segments of the society over his recent controversial statements about talks with TTP and former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Khawaja Asif seems to be on a retreat as he has been clarifying that his widely circulated videos - in which he can be seen lambasting the military and generals - dated back to 2005 and that his trenchant criticism of the military was made during peculiar circumstances in the past.
INP adds: This was the first meeting of the corps commanders after the statement of COAS General Raheel Sharif in Tarbela on Monday that Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all institutions and will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.
According to a source, the corps commanders fully supported the views expressed by the COAS for upholding and preserving the dignity of the institution.