Military asks govt for law to check ‘unethical’ use of freedom of expression

RAWALPINDI: The two-day Formation Commanders Conference has emphasised the need for the promulgation of stringent laws and regulations to check the unfettered and unethical use of freedom of expression to spew venom, lies and sow the seeds of polarisation.

“Those spreading fake news for vested political and financial interests need to be identified and brought to justice,” maintained the participants of the 84th Formation Commanders Conference that concluded at the GHQ here on Thursday.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir presided over the conference attended by the corps commanders, principal staff officers and formation commanders. The forum reiterated that the army remained committed to serving the nation and the public and guarding against all external and internal threats without bias and political affiliation. “Any attempt to pitch innocent people against each other and use of violence as an instrument for vested gains can never be tolerated,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

The conference noted with concern the malicious propaganda done in the aftermath of the lawful deployment of the army in the federal capital to secure key government buildings and provide a safe and secure environment for the visiting delegations. The top military brass also noted that the pre-planned coordinated and premeditated propaganda reflected the continuity of a sinister design by certain political elements as an attempt to drive a wedge between the public and armed forces and institutions. “This futile attempt, fueled and abetted by external players, will never be successful, Insha Allah,” the participants of the conference said.

The forum began by offering Fateha and paying solemn tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens of Pakistan who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s security and sovereignty. In his concluding remarks, the COAS emphasized the importance of professionalism, operational readiness and the army’s unwavering dedication to ensuring Pakistan’s security and stability, notwithstanding any odds and challenges. The forum condemned the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people. It also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, strongly condemning the atrocities in Gaza and supporting the international legal measures to end the military aggression. The participants were briefed on the prevailing security environment, both external and internal, and reviewed the army’s operational readiness to address the evolving traditional and non-traditional threats. The forum conducted a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing counterterrorism operations and resolved to continue neutralizing terrorists, their facilitators and abettors working at the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, with the heightened focus on operations against terrorists operating in Balochistan including the BLA Majeed Brigade. Unabated use of Afghan soil against Pakistan by terrorists, especially belonging to Fitna Al Khwarij, was also noted with concern.

The forum urged that it was in the interest of both neighbouring Islamic countries to focus on mutually beneficial engagements and that the interim Afghan government needs to take visible measures to prevent the use of their soil by terrorists. The forum reiterated its resolve to continue supporting all socioeconomic and development efforts being undertaken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan by the federal and provincial governments for the well-being of the resilient people of these provinces who continue to stand tall against terrorism. Highlighting the army’s commitment to socioeconomic progress, the forum resolved to continue to support the government’s efforts for fostering economic growth, cracking down on the illegal spectrum and eradicating the terror-crime nexus.