‘Talk about our Pakistan,’ COAS urges everyone to get out of debate of “new or old Pakistan”

Islamabad: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir  on Friday addressed the lower house of the parliament and congratulated them on the completion of fifty years of the promulgation of the 1973 Constitution.

The Army chief emphasized that the people of Pakistan are the source of power and their opinion is reflected in the constitution and the parliament. He stated that sovereignty belongs to Allah and He has vested power in the constitution, and elected representatives should use this power to set a direction.

“The army will support them in achieving their goals,” he said.

General Munir paid tribute to those who promulgated the 1973 Constitution and said that the army was not about to launch a new operation, but it was a reflection of the unflinching trust of people in the army. The COAS emphasized that there is no more a no-go area in the country, and it was made possible by the sacrifices paid by martyrs. Intelligence-based operations are being conducted on a daily basis to counter terrorism.

The COAS stated that negotiations with terrorists resulted in their emergence and holding talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was a wrong decision. He also urged everyone to get out of the debate of "New Pakistan" and "Old Pakistan" and talk about "Our [united] Pakistan".

COAS Munir and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum briefed the participants about the current security situation in the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the police, rangers, and the army for their sacrifices in the war against terror.

The PM resolved to seek answers to funds allocated to KP for security and assured lawmakers that their concerns regarding the National Security Committee’s decision to launch a military operation against terrorists in areas bordering Afghanistan would be addressed, and no such step would be taken that deteriorates the situation.