KEY POINTS
- Conference reviewed national security, threats, preparedness.
- No agenda undermining unity, security, or armed forces be tolerated.
- Army leadership rejected the nexus between terrorism, crime, and vested political interests.
- Appreciates counter-terrorism efforts and Balochistan development initiatives.
- Reiterates support for Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top military leadership on Tuesday reaffirmed its principled stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, and a credible pathway towards Palestinian statehood.
According to the Palestinian territory’s health ministry, since October 2023, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza, killing at least 70,942 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring over 171,195 others.
Pakistan has maintained a principled stance on Palestine and has also repeatedly expressed its stance at the United Nations that Pakistan only accepts a Palestinian state with its borders which were in 1967, with Al Quds as its capital.
The South Asian country’s consistent diplomacy through the UN, OIC, and the Gaza Peace Plan reflects its dedication to halting violence, ensuring humanitarian relief, and paving the way for a sustainable two-state solution.
Islamabad remains absolutely steadfast in its core foreign policy principle: the unwavering support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
Pakistan’s government, its armed forces, and its people are fundamentally united in the unshakeable belief that a genuine and sustainable peace in the Middle East cannot and will not be achieved without achieving definitive justice for Palestine.
The principled stance on the Palestine issue was reaffirmed at the 273rd Corps Commanders’ Conference, presided over by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, the military’s media wing stated.
National unity, security and stability
According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the conference conducted a comprehensive review of the country’s internal and external security environment, with particular emphasis on emerging threats and operational preparedness.
The forum resolved that no malicious agenda — political or otherwise — aimed at undermining national unity, security and stability would be tolerated, and that attempts to create divisions between the armed forces and the people would not be allowed.
The military leadership warned that all terrorists, along with their facilitators and abettors, would be dealt with decisively and without exception.
Paying tribute to the courage, professionalism and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, the Chief of Defence Forces appreciated their sustained intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations carried out across the country in recent months.
“Owing to the combined efforts of the government, military and steadfast support of the people of Pakistan, our country is steadily and surely leaping towards stability, greater opportunities and respect,” he said.
After a surge in terrorist attacks in the country, Pakistan has launched comprehensive counterterrorism operations against terrorist groups, including the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.
The country has repeatedly expressed concerns over terrorist groups based in Afghanistan and launching terrorist attacks across the border in Pakistan.
The international community, including the United Nations, also remains concerned about the growing threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan under the shadow of the Afghan Taliban regime. Pakistan maintained that repeated terrorist incursions and attacks inside Pakistan, carried out by terrorists entering from Afghan territory, were clear evidence of these concerns.
Last week, Pakistan’s intelligence agencies arrested terrorist Sultan Aziz Azam, spokesperson for the Islamic State Khorasan and founder of the group’s official media wing, the Al-Azaim Foundation, according to a United Nations report submitted to the Security Council.
The findings were detailed in the sixteenth report of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. The document states that Azaim served as Islamic State Khorasan’s (IS-K) central platform for propaganda and recruitment, and that the group’s media operations have been suspended following Azam’s arrest.
Pakistani authorities have carried out a series of high-profile operations targeting IS-K operatives. Among them was the detention of Azam on May 16, 2025, the report confirmed.
Zero tolerance for political, malicious interests
During today’s meeting, the military leadership categorically rejected the nexus between terrorism, crime, and vested political interests.
The Forum resolved that no malicious interest, political or otherwise, aimed at undermining national unity, security and stability would be tolerated, nor would anyone be allowed to create divisions between the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan.
The country’s political and military leadership is working with unity and focus for national development and prosperity.
Earlier today, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation stood united in prayer for Pakistan’s armed forces.
Last week, at a function in Haripur, PM Sharif emphasised the importance of development in all federating units of the country.
Appreciates Balochistan’s development initiatives
The commanders appreciated the Balochistan Special Development Initiatives, noting that public-focused measures focused on local empowerment and social engagement were essential to addressing governance-related challenges linked to terrorism.
The forum underscored the need for similar initiatives in other areas in line with the National Action Plan to ensure lasting peace and stability. The conference reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
Balochistan government’s Balochistan Special Development Initiative (BSDI) has become an effective mean of achieving sustainable development in the province.
Under the BSDI, Rs 5 billion have been allocated for 137 projects across five districts of Southern Balochistan.
So far, 13 development projects have been successfully completed under the Balochistan Special Development Initiative.
The goal of the Balochistan Development Program is to ensure the provision of basic facilities in remote and underdeveloped areas.
Pakistan Army’s ability to counter threats
In his concluding remarks, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir directed commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, training, physical fitness, technological innovation, and battlefield adaptability.
He expressed full confidence in the Pakistan Army’s ability to counter the full spectrum of threats — ranging from conventional and sub-conventional to hybrid and asymmetric challenges — while safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The conference also offered Fateha for the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians who lost their lives in recent terrorist incidents while defending the country against foreign-sponsored terrorism.
