NAP meeting decides to continue efforts against terrorism:national security Issues discussed
Islamabad/Rawalpindi: Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa approved on Monday death sentences of four militants allegedly involved in carrying out an attack on Karachi airport among other terror offenses.
“They planned and executed attacks on Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, CID building Karachi, ISI Office Sukkur and convoy of law enforcement agencies,” a statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
“They were involved in killing of 58 persons, including SSP Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam and causing injuries to 226 others, including SSP Farooq Awan,” it added.
Arms and explosives were recovered from the possession of the suspects who, the ISPR said, were tried by military courts and found to have been involved in “heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians, LEAs and ASF personnel.”
The convicts were involved in killing of 58 people including Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam and wounding 226 others including SSP Farooq Awan. Firearms and explosives were recovered from the convicts’ possession, ISPR said.
Chaudhry Aslam, Karachi’s top cop, was killed when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of police vehicles in 2014. The attack was claimed by the Mohmand Agency chapter of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
This is the first time COAS Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa has confirmed the death sentences of ‘hardcore terrorists’. The development comes as the power of military courts to try civilians is likely to end in a month as the government does not appear interested in extending the relevant amendment to the Constitution, which will lapse on Jan 2.
Three convicts Attaur Rehman s/o Faqir Muhammad, Muhammad Sabir s/o Alaf Gul and Muhammad Farooq Bhatti s/o Muhammad Ishaq were members of proscribed organisations.
They were involved in attacking innocent civilians, LEAs ISI officials and Jinnah International Airport, which resulted in deaths of 58 individuals including SSP Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam.
As a result of these terrorist attacks, 226 persons including SSP Farooq Awan also sustained injuries. These convicts admitted their offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. They were awarded death sentences.
Gul Zareen s/o Gul Sharif: The convict was a member of proscribed organisation. He was involved in attacking police officials, which resulted in death of police constable Sartaj, police constable Ahmed Khan and injuries to 10 others including SSP Farooq Awan. He was also found in possession of fire-arms and explosives. The convict admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court.
He was awarded death sentence.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain at the PM House and the Presidency respectively.
Issues pertaining to national security were discussed in Gen Bajwa’s separate meetings with the premier and the president.
The president asked the COAS to continue the military Operation Zarb-i-Azb until its objectives were achieved. He further advised Gen Bajwa to continue working with the National Action Plan.
Expressing his confidence in the leadership of General Bajwa, the president said the COAS will meet the nation’s expectations for the country’s defence.
China’s People Liberation Army General Zhao Zongqi visited GHQ today and met Gen Bajwa to discuss regional security issues.
Gen Zongqi lauded Pakistan Army’s “achievements” in fighting terrorism and its continual efforts to stabilise the region, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.
Gen Bajwa “reaffirmed Pakistan Army’s unwavering support for CPEC’s security”, the statement added.
The visiting dignitary was presented with a guard of honour.
To pay homage to the “martyrs” of Pakistan Army, the Chinese general laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-i-Shuhada, the ISPR statement said.
Bajwa recently took over as the country’s new army chief, with Prime Minister Nawaz appointing the COAS in the hope of stabilising the fragile civil-military balance.
The appointment was set in motion by the impending retirement of incumbent army chief Gen Raheel Sharif and put to rest feverish speculation regarding who would succeed Gen Raheel Sharif — the first army chief to retire on time in around two decades.
While the office of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) is technically the more senior position — as he serves as the principal military adviser to the prime minister and the National Command Authority (NCA) — the office of army chief is the most prized and arguably the most powerful position in the country.
Gen Bajwa’s relatively more moderate view of the relationship with the civilian government, it is said, proved to be the decisive factor in PM Sharif’s decision to pick him for the position.
One of Gen Bajwa’s former commanding officers told the COAS-designate is a strong proponent of the army not intruding into civilian space.
Under the watch of the outgoing army chief, the civil-military balance of power had titled more in military’s favour.
