Arm forces rewriting history of valour, gallantry in war against terrorism: Mamnoon

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WANA: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday said that armed forces were fighting a decisive war against terrorism in tribal areas as personnel were rewriting a history of valour and gallantry.

Talking to army officers and personnel here, the President paid tribute to the forces for their sacrifices, successes and achievements in the war against terror.

This was first ever visit of any President to South Waziristan Agency since the operation had been initiated against terrorists in the area.

The anti-state elements were out to weaken the country through their subversive activities but their evil designs were being foiled by the armed forces, he noted.

He said tribal areas and people had been greatly affected by terrorism due to their geographical location. Pakistan suffered socio-economic losses due to militancy and terrorism, he added.

While condemning recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the President said the terrorists had no religion and they were enemy of humanity.

He said the operation Zarb-e-Azb was initiated as per spirit of Islam as terrorism was a curse and the operation was launched to wipe out the menace.

The President empshaized upon the army troops to take stringent measures for saving their future generation from terrorism. The nation, he said, had full confidence in the armed forces.

About the temporary displaced persons (TDPs), the President said they were being compensated and repatriated to their native areas in a dignified manner. The civil administration in the tribal agency had been reactivated and for this purpose, he said, locals were being inducted in Levis force so that the terrorists might not regroup there.

President Mamnoon said the corruption had adversely affected the development leaving negative impact on the national economy. The present government, he added, was taking solid steps for the revival of the economy.

About the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said the mega project would change the destiny of the country, including all the provinces and FATA. It would usher in a new era of economic prosperity and development, he added.

Referring to the energy crisis, he said the loadshedding issue would  greatly be mitigated by 2018 after completion of different power projects.

Earlier, General Officer Commanding Maj Gen. Khalid Javed gave a detailed briefing to the President on security situation in the tribal region.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and high ranking officials of the civil and military administrations received the President upon arrival.

Later, the President visited Wana Cadet College and announced a grant of Rs 5 million for the college.

Principal of the cadet college Col Nadeem Irshad briefed the President about the curriculum and co-curriculum activities of the college.

The President was informed that some 333 cadets were obtaining education from the college, 70 per cent of them were from FATA.

The President, in his brief remarks, said that education was imperative for the development and progress of the country.