Terms of corps commanders conference call ‘unnecessary escalation’, spoiling mediation efforts
Drone view of people gathered at the site of damage in a residential neighborhood following Iranian missile barrages in central Israel. PHOTO: REUTERS
RAWALPINDI:
Top military brass on Tuesday strongly condemned recent Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical and industrial complexes, calling them an “unnecessary escalation” that threatens to spoil mediation efforts aimed at ending the Middle East crisis.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release that the 274th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), echoed the call for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation.
“The forum noted with concern and vehemently condemned the latest attacks on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical and industrial complex, terming them an unnecessary escalation that spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means,” the ISPR press release said.
“The forum noted that the restraint and calibration that Saudi Arabia has shown so far, despite serious provocations, has enabled mediation and diplomatic resolution. However, such unwarranted aggressions have serious repercussions, spoiling ongoing peaceful options and an enabling environment,” it added.
The forum appreciated the government’s efforts to end the war in the Middle East and echoed the call for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to “principled diplomacy and constructive engagement”.
The military leadership reiterated Pakistan’s role as a responsible regional actor, actively contributing to peace and stability as a “regional security stabilizer”.
The forum also undertook a comprehensive review of the current internal and external security environment and reaffirmed that all terrorists would be pursued and eliminated.
“All terrorist proxies operating at the behest of India and other external sponsors, as well as their enablers and accomplices, will be pursued relentlessly and without exception,” the ISPR said.
He further said that the tempo of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq would be maintained until the elimination of terrorist safe havens and use of Afghan soil against Pakistan comes to a decisive end.
The participants categorically rejected “persistent misinformation, baseless allegations and false flag narratives attributed to India, noting that such tactics are internationally discredited.”
They also expressed concern over continued human rights violations by Indian authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and noted a recent spate of “fake encounters” in various locations to cover up extrajudicial killings.
In his concluding remarks, Field Marshal Asim Munir directed commanders to maintain the “highest standards of operational readiness, professionalism and adaptability”, while expressing “full confidence in the ability of the armed forces to counter all forms of threats and ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan”.
The participants also prayed for the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians, while paying tribute to their sacrifices. Field Marshal Asim expressed his satisfaction and commended the security forces for their “unwavering professionalism, operational excellence and unwavering commitment” towards the defense of the country.
“Through the synergy of government, armed forces and people, Pakistan continues to consolidate its security gains, strengthen its economic resilience and improve its regional and global position,” he said, according to ISPR.
