Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday called on the world to acknowledge the military, economic, political and social costs paid by Pakistan in its successful fight against terrorism.
“Pakistan has successfully fought against terrorism while also contributing to regional peace. Pakistan has done much more for peace in Afghanistan than any other country,” the army chief said in a statement released by the military’s media wing.
Underscoring the nation’s contribution to regional peace, Gen Bajwa reminded the world that Pakistan’s contributions towards peace in neighbouring Afghanistan would not come at the cost of its own honour or security.
“We have paid the highest military, economic, political and social cost and the world should acknowledge that. We shall continue to contribute towards peace in Afghanistan but Pakistan’s honour and Pakistan’s security shall always stay premier,” he said.
The army chief’s statement comes after Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned the United States Charge d’affaires earlier on Tuesday to lodge a protest over US President Donald Trump’s “unwarranted and unsubstantiated allegations” against the country.
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua conveyed “her government’s disappointment on the recent tweets and comments by the US president” and told the US charge d’affaires “that such baseless rhetoric about Pakistan was totally unacceptable”, a statement issued by the FO read.
