Pakistan army says it will not tolerate political designs undermining national security

Pakistan’s army on Wednesday said it would not tolerate any political or other malicious designs that undermine national security, reiterating a policy of zero tolerance for militancy and its links to criminal networks, the military said in a statement after a meeting of senior commanders.

The remarks were made during the 273rd Corps Commanders’ Conference at army headquarters in Rawalpindi, chaired by Pakistan Army Chief and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The conference opened with prayers for members of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians killed in recent attacks, which the military described as acts of foreign-backed terrorism.

Addressing the commanders, CDF Munir praised the military’s conduct in intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations across the country, saying sustained efforts had contributed to improved internal stability and strengthened Pakistan’s international standing.

The forum reviewed Pakistan’s internal and external security environment, focusing on what it described as evolving threats and the army’s operational preparedness. Commanders reaffirmed that militant groups operating with alleged Indian support, along with their facilitators, would be dealt with “decisively and without exception,” the statement said.

Senior officers also rejected what they described as any nexus between terrorism, organized crime and political manipulation, stressing that no political or vested interests would be allowed to exploit instability or weaken national cohesion.

The conference discussed ongoing Balochistan Special Development Initiatives, which the military said were aimed at empowering local communities and addressing governance gaps that contribute to unrest. Participants called for similar people-centric development programs nationwide, aligned with Pakistan’s National Action Plan, to help sustain long-term peace.

Commanders also reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and restated the country’s position on the war in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and a credible path toward Palestinian statehood.

The army chief directed commanders to maintain high standards of readiness, discipline, training and technological innovation, saying the army remained capable of countering a full spectrum of threats - including conventional, hybrid and asymmetric challenges - while safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.