ISLAMABAD: Besides endorsing military courts, the army’s leadership on Thursday stressed expeditious implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to achieve a durable peace in the country.

The emphasis on NAP’s implementation reflected the perception of the commanders, during Corps Commanders Conference, about the challenges in the implementation of Operation Raddul Fasaad (RuF) launched a fortnight ago in the aftermath of the recent wave of terrorism that rocked all four provinces.

“Forum concluded that through Operation RuF implementation of NAP needs to be expedited jointly/by respective stakeholders for lasting peace and stability in the country,” the ISPR said in a statement after the meeting, which is a monthly feature at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

The message was familiar — NAP is not matching up with the military effort — but the difference this time was that it had been packaged in another way.

The main features of RuF are Rangers operations in Punjab, continuation of operations elsewhere in the country, de-weaponisation and explosive control and management of the Pak-Afghan border. At the time of the launch of the operation, the military had said that its principal objective was to contribute to pursuance of NAP.

Analysts had on that occasion cautioned that RuF would continue to be constrained by the shortcomings in the implementation of NAP.

The areas of NAP in which the military wanted immediate action were also pointed out, although they were referenced to an understanding reached during last week’s national security meeting at the Prime Minister House.

“COAS informed the participants about discussion during last security conference with government authorities which included phased fencing of Pak-Afghan Border, repatriation of Afghan Refugees, judicial, police and madrassa / educational institutions reforms and restarting execution of death sentences to terrorists awarded by Military Courts,” ISPR said.

The ISPR statement made a conscious effort at avoiding provoking religious sensitivities.

The focus all along has been on reforming madressahs, but the statement bracketed that with the overhaul of the entire education system. Notwithstanding the importance of addressing problems in the education system, it should be recalled that the 20-point NAP had only called for “registration and regulation of religious seminaries”. Broadening the scope, it is feared, may dilute the effort.

The move was much similar to the removal of the mention of religious and sectarian terrorism from the government’s draft legislation for bringing back military courts for trying civilians accused of terrorism.

“RuF is a comprehensive, across-the-board operation against terrorists and terrorism and not against any particular race, sect or group,” COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa was quoted as having told the participants.

The army’s reading that the upsurge in terrorism was the handiwork of “hostile agencies”, which wanted to “undo Pakistan’s gains in security and development especially CPEC” was repeated with the reiteration of pledge that “sacrifices made by resilient people of Pakistan and its brave security forces shall not go wastes”.

The military commanders further used the occasion to convey the institutional approval of the military courts.

“Forum expressed its confidence on performance of Military Courts,” the ISPR said. The timing of the statement on military courts was important as it came a day before the government was to introduce a bill in the National Assembly for another tenure for the army-led special tribunals.

Key opposition parties PPP and MQM have yet to join the political consensus on military courts, although the two do not appear to be differing in principle with the concept.

However, again, in its trademark style, the army leadership noted that the final word would be that of the government.

Dawn Leaks, another issue very close to military’s heart, and the army’s participation in the census beginning from March 15 was also discussed. Other than mentioning Dawn Leaks no details were shared.

“The forum reviewed geo-strategic and security environment with special focus on Pak-Afghan border situation and Indian ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LOC) / working boundary (WB). COAS also apprised the participants about his visits to the UAE and Qatri leadership which remained successful in making positive progress,” ISPR further said.

Hotline

Directors General Military Operations of India and Pakistan, earlier in the day, held their hotline conversation in which Indian allegations of cross-LoC infiltration was discussed.

“Indian concerns on terrorists’ movement along LOC were strongly rejected during hotline. Indian Army asked to look inward, share evidence,” the ISPR DG said.

The two generals also discussed the repatriation of the two young Pakistani men, who had been released from the investigation in Uri attack by India’s National Investigation Agency. The two boys had strayed across the LoC and were accused of guiding Uri attackers, but the allegations could not be proven. Both would be repatriated via Wagah on Friday.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2017