ISLAMABAD: The corps commanders on Thursday expressed satisfaction over positive developments in the Afghan peace process and efforts made thus far.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the participants of the conference, held at General Headquarters with Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in the chair, undertook a comprehensive review of global, regional and domestic security environment.

The forum expressed confidence in operational preparedness of Pakistan Army displayed during recently held formation exercises. It held a detailed discussion on the situation along the eastern border, especially the environment after last month’s ceasefire understanding between the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India.

The DGMOs of the two South Asian nuclear powers had in February recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire arrangement at the Line of Control (LoC) and agreed to address the ‘core issues’ that could undermine peace and stability.

Pakistan and India had in November 2003 agreed to cease fire along the LoC and Working Boundary. The agreement held for a few years but regular violations have occurred since 2008. A sharp spike in the truce breaches has, meanwhile, been witnessed since 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in India. Last year Indian troops committed over 3,000 ceasefire violations in which 28 people were martyred.

The corps commanders reaffirmed complete solidarity with Kashmiri brethren in their struggle for right to self-determination.

The forum also undertook a detailed review of the security situation in newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reiterated the importance of energising early induction of civil administration and other law enforcement agencies along with speedy implementation of the development plan in these districts for their ultimate transition to the civil administration in an earlier time frame.

The forum was also briefed on military engagements with friendly countries.

The conference reviewed the internal security situation, including the ongoing third wave of Covid-19 and reaffirmed resolve of the armed forces to extend full support to the civil administration in controlling the pandemic.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2021