QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said the people of Balochistan had clearly rejected foreign sponsored terrorists and helped the state in busting their network.
He said this while addressing the officers and troops for Southren Command, as part of his farewell visits. The COAS had earlier arrived Quetta.
While paying tribute to the officers and soldiers of Southern Command and Frontier Corps, he said the tide in Balochistan has been turned against terrorists and their sympathizers, and large number of Ferraris were surrendering, “we will continue to work with the provincial and federal governments towards greater security and stability.”
He said, as COAS, security and assistance to civil government in institution building and development work in remote areas has been his priority which brought him to Balochistan almost every month.
The COAS commended Southern Command for managing an arduous task of construction of over 1,000 KM long road network in the rugged and hostile terrain by FWO and NLC which helped in operationalization of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in a stipulated time frame.
He said Gwadar port and CPEC will usher into new era of hope and prosperity for the area with dividends reaching a common man.
He appreciated Southern Command for reintegrating youth by their mass induction into FC/Army, rehabilitation of earthquake hit Awaran and training of 6,000 policemen and Levies.
He also appreciated the improvement in Management of long and treacherous border with Afghanistan and Iran which has helped improve overall security situation in the province.
Earlier on arrival at the venue, Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, Commander Southern Command and Maj Gen Sher Afgun, IG FC Balochistan received the COAS.
