Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Veterans of Pakistan (VOP) on Sunday welcomed the appointments of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff and expressed confidence in them taking charge of the on-going war against terrorism and concluding it successfully.

They also hoped that the newly-appointed military leaders and will add up to fighting capabilities of Pakistan’s military against threatening posture adopted by India.

All the participants representing the three services welcomed the appointments and expressed confidence in their professional capabilities.

They also paid tribute to General Raheel Sharif on the way he led the Army through an extremely difficult phase marking higher standards than before.

The veterans also expressed surprise and disappointment at the double standards of Western allies for blaming Pakistan, directly or indirectly, for any act of terrorism in India, without independently investigating the matter.

Officials criticized western allies stating that “Instead of condemning India for violation of human rights and UN Security Council’s resolutions, they routinely throw the issue on Pakistan by advising solution through bilateral talks”

The veterans lauded government’s efforts to improve our relations with Russia and other countries of Central Asia, particularly with reference to CPEC.

VOP formerly known as PESA was led by its Senior Vice President, Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim. Other participants included Lt Gen Naeem Akbar, Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Brig Mian Mahmud, former ambassador Salim Nawaz Gandapur, Brig Simon Sharaf, Brig Masud ul Hassan and Lt. Col Shahid Rehman.