General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), presided over the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference at General Headquarters (GHQ), which saw the participation of Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers, and all Formation Commanders of the Pakistan Army.
The conference began with a solemn tribute, offering Fatiha for the supreme sacrifices of the Shuhadas, including officers and men of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and citizens of Pakistan who laid down their lives for the nation’s safety, security, and sovereignty.
The forum, concerns were raised about politically motivated digital terrorism. The COAS and attendees discussed the detrimental impacts of conspiracies, often fueled by foreign cohorts, aimed at undermining state institutions. They highlighted efforts to induce despondency among the Pakistani populace and create discord between national institutions, especially the Armed Forces, and the people through blatant lies, fake news, and propaganda. However, it was emphasized that the nation is fully aware of these malicious intentions and is determined to thwart them comprehensively.
The forum also stressed the importance of bringing the planners, perpetrators, abettors, and facilitators of the events of May 9th to justice. It was noted that without swift and transparent justice, and establishing the rule of law, stability in the country would remain vulnerable to the machinations of such elements.
The conference included briefings on the current geo-strategic environment, emerging national security challenges, and the Army’s strategy to counter multi-domain threats. Participants were informed about technological innovations aimed at modernizing the Army and optimizing logistical support to field formations, aligning with the rapidly evolving operational environment.
Serious concerns were expressed over ongoing cross-border violations from Afghanistan and the orchestration of terrorism using Afghan soil. The forum noted that adversaries are exploiting Afghan territory to target Security Forces and innocent civilians within Pakistan. Acknowledging the invaluable sacrifices of the people from Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) in the war against terrorism, the forum underscored the critical need to uplift these areas to decisively defeat terrorism.
The socio-economic development of Balochistan was also a significant point of discussion. The forum emphasized the importance of countering external narratives of exclusion, which foreign-sponsored proxies exploit to mislead Balochistan’s youth away from peace and progress.
Addressing the situation on the Eastern Border and the latest incidents of extra-judicial killings in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the forum expressed unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. There was concern over the treatment of minorities, especially Muslims, in India, and the growing fascism being utilized to achieve political goals. The forum also expressed complete solidarity with the people of Palestine, condemning severe human rights violations and war crimes in Gaza, and supported the International Court of Justice’s decision to halt the Rafah Operation and other military actions within the Gaza Strip.
The conference resolved to fully support the government’s initiatives across various domains to ensure sustainable economic growth and curb illegal activities. These initiatives include combating smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementing the One Document Regime, the dignified repatriation of illegal foreigners, and safeguarding the national database.
General Munir commended the high standards of training exhibited by formations during various exercises and praised the exceptional performance of officers and troops in counter-terrorism operations. He lauded the formations for their high morale and continuous operational readiness. Participants expressed satisfaction with the measures being taken at the Army level for the training, administration, and welfare of both serving and retired personnel. The forum also celebrated the significant milestone achieved by Pakistan on Youm-e-Takbir, acknowledging its stabilizing impact on the region.
The conference concluded with a firm resolve to neutralize all threats to the country’s security and stability, with the full backing of the proud Pakistani nation.
