Army chief meets Punjab CM, security issues discussed

Published January 3, 2015
The Army Chief discussed security coordination at the provincial level with the Punjab CM during their meeting. -File
The Army Chief discussed security coordination at the provincial level with the Punjab CM during their meeting. -File

LAHORE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Saturday met with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to coordinate security and to implement the recently approved National Action Plan (NAP).

An ISPR statement said that provincial apex committees have been formed in all provinces which will constitute both the military and political leadership.

Today's special meeting of the Punjab apex committee was held at Corps Headquarters Lahore.

DG ISPR Asim Bajwa tweeted about the meeting on Twitter, in which he said that security coordination at the provincial level, part of NAP, was discussed.

During the meeting the COAS and CM discussed military courts, death sentences of terrorists and other security issues.

"The key to success lies in whole hearted participation of society and ensuring harmony among all intelligence and law enforcing agencies at every level," an ISPR statement quoted the COAS as saying.

“Failure to eliminate all manifestations of extremism and terrorism at the grass roots level in our country is not an option, no matter what the cost," the army chief said.

He assured the Army's full support to the provincial government for judicious and speedy action against all forces of evil on the soil of Pakistan, the statement said.

The Punjab CM appreciated the whole hearted support of the Pakistan Army and reiterated the Punjab govt's resolve to cleanse the province of terrorism and extremism.

The meeting was also attended by the Lahore corps commander and other military and civilian leaders.

On Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chairing a Multi-Party Conference (MPC) during which a consensus had been reached by the political leadership to set up military courts for terrorism related cases.

The conference was also attended by the COAS, during which he emphasised that special courts were not desired by the Pakistan Army but they were needed due to extraordinary times.

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