PM Sharif visits GHQ, pays tribute to martyrs

Days after the powerful Pakistan Army lashed out at the Jamaat-e-Islami for describing the slain Taliban chief as a martyr, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the military headquarters today and paid tribute to soldiers killed in anti-terror operations.
In his first visit to the General Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi since he assumed office in June, Sharif laid a wreath at the Martyrs Monument and held a one-on-one meeting with outgoing army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Soldiers had set an example by sacrificing their "today for ensuring a better tomorrow for our future generations", he said.
"It is this passion and high morale that is the biggest strength of our forces. Those who have laid their lives in the fight against terrorism would be remembered forever," he said.

Sharif's visit assumed significance as it came just two days after the army lashed out at the Jamaat-e-Islami chief for referring to slain Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud as a martyr and asked him to apologise. The army said the Jamaat's stance was an insult to soldiers killed in anti-terror operations.
Following his meeting with Kayani, Sharif was briefed on internal and external threats facing Pakistan. The detailed briefing was also attended by Kayani, Sharif's Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Kayani and his Principal Staff Officers briefed Sharif on the spectrum of threats, the operational environment, national security issues, and the army's support to the civilian administration in law and order situations and natural calamities, said a statement from the premier's office.

The premier was also apprised on the engagement of army battalions in border areas and the level of preparedness against external and internal threats.