Categories: World

Is the Pak army, the Government and Opposition on the same page?

<p>
It was a marathon eight-hour meeting between the security chiefs of Pakistan and representatives from the government and opposition parties, with the intent to bringing the country’s fractured decision-making apparatus on the same page. </p>
<p>
“To that extent the meeting was rare and is likely to be significant,” people following the developments told India Narrative.  In a special in-camera session, the Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt General Faiz Hameed comprehensively briefed the parliamentarians on internal and external national security paradigm in the ever evolving geo-political and strategic environment. The briefing covered the core national interests including Afghanistan and Kashmir, reported the <a href="http:// https://www.dawn.com/news/1632670/military-calls-for-avoiding-of-divisive-politics">Pakistani daily, Dawn</a>. </p>
<p>
The daily reported that the political leadership was told in “clear” terms that in view of the situation, it was critical to maintain consensus on issues of national interest, while politics should be restricted to governance and related political matters. The participants were also told that Pakistan wanted to balance its relations with the United States and China.</p>
<p>
“The army also wants that we should have good relations with the US and, particularly with China, which had supported Pakistan in the difficult times, but it did not mean that we put the country in isolation. Now our policy has changed. We will not give our bases, airports, navy, troops and any area to anyone,” Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid was quoted as saying.</p>
<p>
The meeting was held to brief members of the Parliamentary Defence Committee on National Security and prominent opposition leaders including Shahbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other parliamentarians. The Pakistani army chief told them that external forces had already started exerting pressure on Pakistan and despite implementing 26 of the 27 points of the action plan agreed with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the “goal post” was changed and now Pakistan has been told to additionally implement a separate six-point action plan given by the Asia Pacific Group, a regional affiliate of the FATF. </p>
<p>
After the meeting, without giving any details, Sheikh Rashid told the media: “Today a message was given that the political and military leadership was on one page when it came to national security.” </p>
<p>
The crux of the briefing was spelled out by the former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s statement. He said that “the military leadership has put forward its opinion and now the political leadership will make its decisions”.</p>
<p>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/pakistan-set-to-break-from-the-past-after-key-meeting-with-army-chief-bajwa-pak-interior-minister-99346.html">Pakistan set to break from the past after key meeting with Army Chief Bajwa – Pak Interior Minister</a></p>
<p>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/we-brought-them-up-but-today-taliban-is-closer-to-india-says-pakistan-s-former-security-czar-98899.html">We brought them up but today Taliban is “closer” to India, says Pakistan’s former security Czar</a></p>
<p>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/yet-again-pakistan-is-unable-to-shake-off-fatf-s-grey-list-tag-97938.html">Yet again Pakistan is unable to shake off FATF’s Grey List tag</a></p>
<p>
 </p>

Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha

Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha has decades of field experience in covering global terrorism, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. He is also an enthusiastic wildlife photographer.

Recent Posts

“If they are deep in Pakistan, we will go deep into Pakistan”: Jaishankar warns of retribution over terror attacks

Nearly three weeks after the end of a brief but intense conflict between India and…

57 minutes ago

“If terrorists attack India, we will hunt them down wherever they are: EAM Jaishankar to Le Figaro

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in an exclusive interview with Le Figaro, reaffirmed India's…

2 hours ago

Global lawmakers unite for Tibet at Tokyo convention, adopt key declarations against Chinese oppression

The 9th World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet (WPCT) ended on June 4 in Tokyo, Japan,…

2 hours ago

California Governor Gavin Newsom accuses Trump of authoritarian behavior amid LA unrest

The relationship between US President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom reached a breaking…

4 hours ago

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh wishes Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla ahead of Axiom-4 space mission

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Tuesday interacted via video…

6 hours ago

California Governor Gavin Newsom slams Trump’s national guard move, files lawsuit

California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration urging a judge to declare the…

6 hours ago