At the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s military leadership emphasized the importance of bringing the planners, perpetrators, abettors, and facilitators of the May 9 riots to justice for the nation’s collective well-being. The conference, chaired by Army Chief General Asim Munir, included all corps commanders, principal staff officers, and formation commanders of the Pakistan Army.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement noting that the forum condemned “politically motivated and vested digital terrorism” targeting state institutions, particularly the armed forces, aiming to create discord and despondency among the populace. The military leadership accused conspirators, abetted by foreign allies, of spreading lies, fake news, and propaganda. However, the statement expressed confidence that the Pakistani nation is aware of these malicious intents and that the plans of these nefarious forces will be defeated.
The conference highlighted the necessity of swift justice and the establishment of the rule of law, warning that without these measures, the country’s stability would remain vulnerable to the manipulations of disruptive elements.
Additionally, the military commanders expressed grave concerns over continuous cross-border terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil, alleging that hostile foreign actors were using Afghanistan as a base to target security personnel and civilians within Pakistan. The forum acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by citizens in the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) during the war against terrorism and stressed the importance of uplifting these areas.
The participants of the conference also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza and with the oppressed Kashmiris in Indian-administered Kashmir. They underscored their support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, as recognized by United Nations Security Council resolutions, and voiced concerns over the treatment of minorities, especially Muslims, in India, condemning the rising tide of fascism for political gain.
The military leadership also condemned human rights violations by Israel and endorsed the International Court of Justice’s ruling to halt military operations in Rafah and other areas within the Gaza Strip.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir briefed the conference on the regional geostrategic dynamics, emerging national security challenges, and the army’s strategy to counter threats across multiple domains. He commended the high standards of training and the exemplary performance of officers and troops in counter-terrorism operations.
The forum concluded with prayers (fatiha) and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs (shuhadas), including military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and civilians who have laid down their lives for Pakistan’s safety, security, and sovereignty.