ISLAMABAD: A day before the scheduled visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pakistan, military’s top brass at their monthly meeting discussed the evolving geostrategic environment and progress of operation Raddul Fasaad.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa chaired the 213th corps commanders’ conference, which was held on Tuesday at the General Headquarters where among other matters they deliberated upon the evolving situation in Afghanistan, the ongoing operation against militants and preparations for Defence and Martyrs Day.

The army chief directed the field formations to maintain their stronger connection with the families of the martyrs and honour their sacrifices.

Reviews evolving geostrategic situation at corps commanders conference

“COAS directed that field formation should reach out to families of martyrs in their respective areas as mark of respect and acknowledgement of their great sacrifices,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement issued after the meeting.

“[The] forum paid rich tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan on the eve of Defence and Martyrs Day 2018,” the statement added.

Gen Bajwa has always emphasised on honouring the sacrifices of the martyrs. At an investiture ceremony at the GHQ in April, the army chief had warned against forgetting the sacrifices of the “real heroes”, who laid down their lives for the country. He had stated that nations which did not remember and honour their heroes were eliminated. He had also regretted the “limited ability” of “our nation” to “remember history”.

Besides the preparations for Defence Day, the corps commanders discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan and America’s growing belligerence. The US had not only cancelled the $300 million reimbursement under Coalition Support Fund (CSF), but also cancelled a training course for Pakistani military officers under its International Military Education and Training programme a few weeks ago.

Pentagon decided to cancel the $300 million CSF reimbursement only a few days before Mr Pompeo is set to visit Islamabad on Wednesday. This would be his first trip to Pakistan since the new government came to office.

It is reported that the COAS during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed the army’s institutional position on relations with the US and the way forward.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2018