KHUZDAR: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has pledged to restore peace in Balochistan at all cost.
He was addressing a seminar titled “Economic Development through new Silk Route via Khuzdar: Way forward to national integration” in Khuzdar on Thursday.
The army chief said that the enemy wants to disturb peace in the province but all conspiracies and ill-attempts would be foiled. General Bajwa said that Balochistan was ‘heart’ of Pakistan whose development was linked with the development of the country, adding that around 25,000 soldiers were performing their duties in Pakistan Army while over 600 out of those are officers.
General Bajwa expressed happiness over mobilisation of Balochistan’s youth for education and prosperity. “My hope rests with the highly capable, bright and patriotic youth of Balochistan – I have no doubt you understand that your future lies in a well-educated and developed Balochistan and Pakistan. I am happy that Balochistan’s youth has convincingly chosen peace and prosperity as their future. I salute their determination and resilience against the onslaught of terrorism by the enemies of peace and prosperity,” the army chief added.
He said that the military was performing duties in health and education sectors among others in Balochistan. More than 25,000 students were being educated in schools of the army and Frontier Constabulary (FC), General Bajwa added.
The army chief expressed confidence that the current security challenges and external efforts to derail Balochistan’s peace would end with the growing realization of assured geo-economic advantages of a fully developed China Pakistan Economic Corridor and infrastructure projects all over Balochistan.
He said Balochistan today, is under sharp focus due to its geographic importance in relation to the role that it is likely to play in regional economy. “Our enemies have been trying since long to keep Balochistan in a state of unrest and instability. Alhamdulillah, we being a resilient nation have fought well and have defeated their design. Today’s Balochistan is stronger, integrated and on its way to recovery. Development of Gwadar Port, construction of 870 km of road infrastructure and realization of CPEC is testimony of our national resolve. The federal and provincial governments as well as army are trying their best to ensure peace and stability in the province. But the job is only half done,” General Bajwa remarked.
He said Balochistan unfortunately had been neglected in the past for host of reasons, but not anymore. In this regard, he added, Pakistan Army has contributed significantly to bring Balochistan into the mainstream.
“The network of development projects envisioned under CPEC will put Balochistan at the heart of our national development effort,” he said. “Pakistan Army’s efforts in the province are far more diverse than its security role alone. Today, we are actively engaged in humanitarian and human development programmes, most importantly in the field of education and healthcare.”
The ceremony was attended by Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Sanaullah Zehri, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz, federal ministers, inspector general (IG), Major General Nadeem Anjum and other dignitaries.
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