Front Page
Pak. army top brass review situation
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, JAN. 8. Amidst growing pressure from the United States to crack down on the jehadi elements and create a conducive atmosphere for talks with India, the Pakistan military top brass met at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and reviewed the overall situation.
Presided over by the President and Chief of Army Staff, Pervez Musharraf, the daylong conference deliberated on the military preparedness to respond to ``any and all conceivable types of aggression that could be launched by Indian forces.''
While the official statement put out by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the discussions were mainly confined to the situation arising out of the tension on the border and the foreign trips of Gen. Musharraf, including his visit to Kathmandu for the SAARC Summit, it is inconceivable that the top brass did not debate on the crackdown on jehadis.
Ever since he took over the reigns of Pakistan in October 1999, Gen. Musharraf has always made it a point to consult the Core Commanders of the military on all matters of national importance and governance.
The conference comes close on the heels of the statement by the United States President, George W. Bush, asking the Musharraf Government to crack down on the militant groups within Pakistan and the promise made by Gen. Musharraf in his joint press conference with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on Monday night to unveil a plan on the subject.
It can be presumed that the conference reviewed the progress of the ongoing campaign to reign in the jehadi outfits. In the coming days Gen. Musharraf would have to decide on some crucial issues such as a ban on some of the militant and sectarian outfits.
The statement said that Gen. Musharraf told the commanders that defence of the country was a sacred duty and the Pakistan army was capable of meeting all types of challenges.
``Pakistanis are a responsible and peace-loving nation but let there be no illusion that in case of any aggression we will respond with complete national will and resolve.'' Corps Commanders and Principal Staff Officers attended the conference.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Front Page
|
