Pak army reviews security situation along Afghan border

Pakistan army's top brass today undertook a "comprehensive review" of the prevailing external and internal security situation specially along the Western border with Afghanistan.
The draw-down of US-led NATO troops from Afghanistan and its concomitant implications on the security situation along the border region was also discussed, a statement by the military here said.
Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, who chaired the meeting at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, praised the troops for taking additional security measures along Pak-Afghan border to assist Afghanistan to conduct smooth Presidential elections.
The forum also comprehensively reviewed Pakistan army's large scale involvement in security, development and rehabilitation works in various parts of the country.

"COAS (Chief of the Army Staff) commended the efforts despite serious security and administrative challenges," the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Dawn News reported that Gen Sharif took the corps commanders into confidence over talks with the political leadership over the country's national security situation.

The meeting also focused on ongoing peace talks between the government and the Taliban.
The timing of the meeting was seen as important after Gen Sharif's comments at a Special Services Group base in Tarbela that the army would "resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride" sent shockwaves in government circles.
The army chief's unusual remarks are attributed to the growing unease within the military ranks over certain statements made by senior cabinet members over former military dictator Pervez Musharraf's trial.

Unconfirmed media reports also said the corps commanders expressed disappointment over recent statements made by some cabinet ministers.
The reports said the Army chief will take up the issue with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif once he returns from China.