CNews ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Pervez has said that Pakistan’s borders will be safeguarded at all cost.General Kayani has said that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country will be defended at all cost and no external force is allowed to conduct operations against inside Pakistan. He was commenting on the recent incident where innocent civilians were killed in a cross-border raid by the Coalition Forces.He said that the rules of engagement with the Coalition Forces are well defined and within that, the right to conduct operations against the militants inside own territory is solely the responsibility of the respective armed forces. There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the Coalition Forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border.Referring to his meeting with United States senior officers on USS Abraham Lincoln on 27th August, Kayani said that they were informed about the complexity of the issue that requires understanding in depth and more patience for evolving comprehensive solution. He said that own viewpoint was elaborated in detail and it was stressed that in such situations, military action alone cannot solve the problem. Political reconciliatory effort was required to go along with the military prong to win hearts and minds of the people. During the discussion, the imperative of public support at large for the military operations also came under focus. Later, United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen acknowledged the better understanding of ground realities by the COAS, and remarked, “he (the COAS) is committed to doing what is best for Pakistan and he is going to stay the same”. He reiterated that ultimately it is our national interest, which would always guide our policy.
CNews ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Pervez has said that Pakistan’s borders will be safeguarded at all cost.General Kayani has said that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country will be defended at all cost and no external force is allowed to conduct operations against inside Pakistan. He was commenting on the recent incident where innocent civilians were killed in a cross-border raid by the Coalition Forces.He said that the rules of engagement with the Coalition Forces are well defined and within that, the right to conduct operations against the militants inside own territory is solely the responsibility of the respective armed forces. There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the Coalition Forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border.Referring to his meeting with United States senior officers on USS Abraham Lincoln on 27th August, Kayani said that they were informed about the complexity of the issue that requires understanding in depth and more patience for evolving comprehensive solution. He said that own viewpoint was elaborated in detail and it was stressed that in such situations, military action alone cannot solve the problem. Political reconciliatory effort was required to go along with the military prong to win hearts and minds of the people. During the discussion, the imperative of public support at large for the military operations also came under focus. Later, United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen acknowledged the better understanding of ground realities by the COAS, and remarked, “he (the COAS) is committed to doing what is best for Pakistan and he is going to stay the same”. He reiterated that ultimately it is our national interest, which would always guide our policy.
