COAS calls for national effort to thwart threats
By Our Defence Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani reiterating that Army will spare no effort in defending the country said that the only way our country can thwart and defeat all kinds of threats is through a comprehensive national effort, where all segments of the society play their rightful role.
He expressed these views while chairing the 105th Corps Commanders Conference held at General Headquarters on Thursday. This was the first conference chaired by the COAS after assumption of his appointment.
The participants were given a comprehensive briefing on security environment in and around the country with a special focus on Army’s employment in Swat and Waziristan Agencies. Addressing the participants, the COAS outlined his vision and direction for the Army to follow in coming years.
Training and professional pursuits must remain our prime focus to enhance operational preparedness so that we attain the highest standards of capability at all levels to meet challenges of internal and external threat in tandem with other elements of national power, he emphasized. General Kayani said that Army will spare no effort in defending the country. He said that modernizing of the Army is progressing well, which will ensure that we maintain our cutting edge.
Concurrent to training and enhancement of operational preparedness, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that welfare of troops shall be accorded the highest priority. In this regard, 2008 has been declared as ‘Year of the Soldier’. Concentrated efforts will be made through a comprehensive package to improve quality of life of soldiers in all facets.
Dilating upon the security environment, he said the country is confronted with difficult challenges. He said the only way our country can thwart and defeat all kinds of threats is through a comprehensive national effort, where all segments of the society play their rightful role. It is the harmonization of socio-political, administrative and military strategies that will usher an environment of peace and stability in the long term. Ultimately it is the will of the people and their support that is decisive, he stressed.
Reviewing Army’s employment in various parts of the country to support the Civil Administration in maintenance of Law and Order, Chief of Army Staff appreciated the efforts of Army in undertaking difficult tasks in a challenging environment. He said while troops are undertaking this challenging assignment all resources that are essential for successful completion of the task shall be provided to the troops. He appreciated all ranks of the Army for their good work in assisting local administration in restoring law and order in Sindh during the last two days.