Pakistan Army accuses 'neighbouring country' of giving latest weapons to TTP

Top military officials in Pakistan have claimed that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - also known as the Pakistani Taliban - was receiving “latest weapons” and “liberty of action” from a neighbouring nation. The two-day 261st Corps Commanders’ Conference was chaired by General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, at GHQ, Rawalpindi. The commanders also announced that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will receive the essential support for the upcoming general elections, which are set for February 8. The meeting was briefed on the “prevalent geo-strategic environment, challenges to national security and own strategy in response to evolving threats,” as per a statement released by the military. “The sanctuaries and liberty of action available to the terrorists of proscribed TTP and other groups of that ilk in the neighbouring country and availability of latest weapons to the terrorists were noted as serious points of concern impacting security of Pakistan,” the statement read, in an apparent reference to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. “All terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan will be dealt with the full might of the state,” was the resolution reached at the conference. Among other illicit economic activities, the meeting reviewed comprehensively the current measures being taken against power theft, smuggling, money laundering, and stockpiling of necessities. The statement read, “Pakistan Army will continue to give all-out support to relevant government institutions to curb such crimes.” The Pakistan Army’s commitment to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity from both direct and indirect threats was reaffirmed at the meeting. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a combined civil-military forum established last year to attract investment, is the umbrella organisation for the forum’s continued efforts to boost socioeconomic progress and foreign investment. The forum reaffirmed its support for these initiatives. During the meeting, it was reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to provide its fellow Kashmiris with all the political, moral, and diplomatic support necessary to see the issue of Kashmir resolved in accordance with international law and pertinent UNSC resolutions. The forum reiterated the government’s appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a peaceful conclusion to the ongoing conflict, while also expressing full sympathy with the people of Palestine and denouncing the egregious abuses of human rights and war crimes occurring in Gaza. (With agency inputs)