SWAT, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that Pakistan Army has undertaken over 700 mega and minor projects so far in social sector in the areas where anti-terror operations were carried out.
The COAS made these remarks during his visit to Mangora, Kanju and Khwazakhela in Swat on Friday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
During the visit, the COAS along with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra laid the foundation stone of Swat Cantonment.
The Swat Cantonment was approved on September 8, 2015, on a popular demand by the people in view of the much needed long term security for the region.
While speaking at the occasion, the COAS paid his gratitude to the people of Swat for their valiant stand against reign of terror and standing alongside the security forces to throw terrorists out of the valley forever.
Congratulating the people of Swat on this historic day, he reaffirmed army’s commitment to continue playing a solid role in bringing enduring peace and security of Swat.
Establishment of cantonment in Swat will act as a deterrent for terrorists, boost the confidence of all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and help bring permanent sense of security with readily available force to counter any threat to peace in the area. The Cantt will also contribute to local socio-economic development for the area.
The COAS said that development of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and Malakand is a priority task being executed as a well-considered strategy.
The army chief said that in those areas affected by anti-terrorism operations, Pakistan Army has so far undertaken over 700 mega and minor projects which are aimed to improve the quality of life of locals and address the problem of militancy on long term basis.
The whole world acknowledges Pakistan Army for uniquely completing the entire cycle of fighting Terrorism from operations to reconstruction and resettling the displaced people back in the area, the COAS said.
The COAS also appreciated the continued support of locals in combating terrorism and acknowledged their sacrifices in war against terrorism, which became critical for our success.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister KPK, Governor KPK and local elders of the area thanked the COAS and Pakistan Army for establishment of Cantonment with all its concomitant fringe benefits for the people of Swat.
The COAS also visited the recently completed Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zaid model Hospital Swat.
While appreciating the quality of hospital and facilities, he along with locals and hospital staff, thanked United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its leadership for their contribution for socioeconomic development of the area.
The UAE Ambassador Essa Abdulla Albasha al Noaimi, and Director UPAP Abdullah Al Ghefeli were also present on the occasion.
Later the COAS also visited under construction state of the art Army Public School.
Earlier on arrival, Corps Commander Lieutenant General Hidayat ur Rehman and GOC Swat Major General Asif Ghafoor received the COAS.
