Quetta, Pakistan: General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has said that the state is responsible for security of its citizens.
He said while meeting representatives of Hazara Community at Quetta along with the Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal for conducting negotiations with elders of Hazara community and offered fatiha for the departed souls of those who were killed by terrorists recently.
Chief Minister, Home Minister Balochistan and Commander Southern Command of Quetta were also present during the meeting.
Chief of Army Staff said that while nothing can compensate the loss of dear ones, he assured Hazara community brethren that those who have targeted them shall suffer twice as much.
Chief of Army Staff said that state is responsible for security of its citizens and all state institutions are concerned for this. Each and every casualty including from Hazara community is of concern to us and our brave security forces are performing their best and willingly offering monumental sacrifices to bring lasting peace to the country.
During 2018 alone, so far 37 Security Forces personnel have laid their lives in Quetta. Through a unified national effort, we have turned the tide of terrorism, however a lot is still being done against inimical designs to reverse the gains by exploiting various fault lines. We have busted many terrorists’ networks and we know how these networks are being supported by hostile agencies. We are Muslim first and then anything else. Every Pakistani irrespective of religion, sect, language or caste has to stay steadfast and united to defeat hostile forces trying to create divisions.
Chief of Army Staff said that we shall defeat hostile attempts through national cohesion. Anything and everything which is for the betterment of security of people of Pakistan shall be done. “I expect the youth to stay focused on their positive endeavors towards self and nation building. Trust and assist state in taking Pakistan forward to its rightful destination”, Chief of Army Staff said.
Hazara community posed full trust in Pakistan Army and pledged their support in defeating hostile agenda.
