ISI is Pakistan’s first line of defence: PM Imran

RAWALIPINDI: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was briefed on the national security.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry informed that PM Khan was given briefing on the national security for eight hours.

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director-General ISI Lt General Naveed Mukhtar received the prime minister on arrival. Senior cabinet ministers also accompanied the premier.

The prime minister was briefed in details on various strategic intelligence and national security matters at the premier agency. He also laid a floral wreath at the martyrs monument.

Read: PM Khan says Pakistan’s army, intelligence agencies best in the world

PM Imran lauded contributions of ISI towards national security especially in the ongoing counter terrorism effort. “ISI is our first line of defence and stands out as the best intelligence agency of the world,” said PM Khan.

He further said that government and people of Pakistan firmly stand behind the armed forces and intelligence agencies, and greatly acknowledge the unprecedented achievements of these institutions.

On August 30, Prime Minister Khan had visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) along with several cabinet members to get briefing on security matters.

The prime minister was given detailed briefings on security environment, threat spectrum and response. They were also updated on army’s campaigns against terrorism, ongoing Radd-ul-Fasaad Operation, situation in Karachi and the Khushal Balochistan programme.

Also read: PM Imran, COAS pledge to work for lasting peace in first meeting

PM Imran appreciated the professional, operational readiness and contributions and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism.

He said that the nation is facing external and international threats which they will overcome with the support of the nation and a cohesive national approach.

He assured that the government shall provide all resources required to maintain capability and capacity of the army. He said that Pakistan is destined to rise and stay positively relevant in the comity of nations.

General Bajwa thanked the PM for his visiting and posing in the army. He assured that the army shall continue to deliver on the nation’s expectations of defending the motherland at all costs.

Similarly on September 3, Chief of General Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa had called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at the PM secretariat and discussed a range of issues including matters related to security, Defence Day, US-Pakistan relations, and internal and external security situation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan was invited to the chief guest to a Defence Day event at the GHQ on September 6, where he rejected the impression of a civil-military divide and said both are on same page regarding issues faced by the country.

He said that Pakistan’s armed forces and intelligence agencies are best in the world due to their strict adherence to merit and professionalism, and are a source of pride for the nation and all the other institutions could progress if they follow the army’s example.