Armed forces to reinforce government in strengthening democracy: CJCSC

12 Oct, 2008

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed on Saturday said the armed forces will reinforce the government in its move to strengthen the democratic process. This will help the government in coping with challenges of terrorism and extremism the country is facing, he said while addressing the meeting of the JCSC here.
The meeting was chaired by General Tariq Majeed while Secretary Defence, Kamran Rasool, Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Nauman Bashir, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mahmood Ahmed, Director General Joint Staff, Secretary Defence Production, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Director General Strategic Plans Division and other concerned officials were also present.
General Majeed said that the positive development is the rise of the people against the hydra headed militants in Fata and adjoining areas. Support of people is very important for the government to combat challenges facing the country, he added.
He said that the completion of the political transition is a positive development granting the government the strength to meet the myriad of challenges. Speaking on the need to strengthen the joint service framework, General Majeed said that there is need to harmonise individual capacities of the services so that efforts are synergised within a framework of jointness and inter-operability to meet present and future challenges.
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) briefed the forum on prevailing national, regional and global environment. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the domestic internal security including situation in Fata, regional developments with particular reference to Afghanistan.
The evolving security challenges were analysed to strengthen the response with the operational preparation of the Armed Forces in harmony with the national policies. The military leadership of the country reiterated the resolve to support the government efforts for developing broad-based consensus national response with the emerging geo-political and strategic realities in view, orchestrating all elements of national power.
The meeting also paid tributes to those military personnel, law enforcement agencies and civilians who have laid their lives in the nation's efforts in thwarting the designs of terrorists and miscreants.
The meeting reviewed the ongoing internal security operations and expressed satisfaction over the pace and degree of success achieved. The committee noted that it was vital for the people of Pakistan to support the efforts of the government and the Armed Forces to meet the present challenges to the security and sovereignty of the country.
The forum took serious note of lately appearing insinuations about Pakistan's strategic programme and ISI. The participants expressed complete satisfaction over the safety, security and command arrangements put in place to guard the nation's strategic assets.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of Armed Forces Development Plan which envisages the upgradation and development of the Armed Forces in certain key areas. While reviewing the ongoing indigenisation of defence production in the country, it was decided to enhance these efforts to achieve equipment standardisation and to economise and optimise the resources keeping in view the economic constraints.

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