PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The Chief of Army staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that we consider Afghanistan as a brotherly neighbor and terrorists are our common enemy.
While speaking at Peshawar Corps Headquarters on Wednesday, the COAS said that the threat thus requires a trust based coordinated response rather than blame game or unwarranted skirmishes.
During his visit, the COAS was given detailed briefing on situation along Pak-Afghan border, ongoing and future operations, progress on development works and return of temporarily displaced persons (TDPs).
COAS at Peshawar.”FATA Reforms essential. Our brave tribal brothers now to live a fearless & quality social life as citizens of Pak”, COAS. pic.twitter.com/g8qGo63nm7
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) June 14, 2017
The COAS appreciated improved security situation and measures for better border management including fencing. He expressed his satisfaction on operational readiness of the formations and asked them to stay vigilant against all types of threat.
General Bajwa further said that unilateral actions like drone strike etc are counterproductive and against spirit of ongoing cooperation and intelligence sharing being diligently undertaken by Pakistan. He said that Pakistan Army is capable of taking effective measure if actionable intelligence is shared.
The Army Chief said that our focus now is to transform our operational achievements in FATA into enduring peace and stability for which early mainstreaming of FATA through reforms is essential and Pakistan Army fully supports all efforts towards that end.
The COAS said that our brave tribal brothers, through their support, cooperation and resolve, have enabled its security forces to succeed during the operations and now it is time for them to live a fearless and quality social life as citizens of Pakistan.
Moreover, he said that Pakistan Army shall continue its efforts to consolidate gains achieved thus far and stated that Army stands with all other institutions to get Pakistan rid of menaces retarding its progress and prosperity.
Earlier, on arrival at Corps Headquarters, the COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps Lieutenant General Nazir Ahmad Butt.
