Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the UK Army Gen Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter Friday acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism and recent Pak-Afghan border fencing for improved border control, a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations stated.

“The visiting dignitary also hailed Paigham-e-Pakistan fatwa which shall have far reaching effects against extremist narrative,” read the ISPR statement.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa highlighted the need for collective action within a collaborative framework to help encourage peace and stability in the region.

The UK army general is in Pakistan on a two-day visit. On the first day of his visit, he met the COAS and discussed bilateral issues as well as the security situation of the region. Later, he, along with Gen Bajwa, visited Balochistan’s Girdi Jungle and Brabchah areas.

Girdi Jungle, a small village before 1979, has swelled into a town of around 60,000 inhabitants, a majority of whom are Afghan refugees. Over the years, the town had turned into a hub of criminal activity, the ISPR said, adding the area is now free of criminal influence.

During their visit, the two generals were also given a detailed briefing on the security operations carried out in support of the ‘Khushal Balochistan’ program. The visitors also flew over the border town of Brabchah and were briefed on the peculiar environment of the area and steps taken to secure the Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan.

They lauded professionalism and dedication with which the sanitisation operation had been conducted in Girdi Jungle.

During the visit, bilateral issues and regional security situation were also discussed between the two military leaders. The dignified and ordered resettlement of Afghan refugees and measures to spread dividends of peace in larger region also came under discussion during the visit.

The British high commissioner, defence attaché in Pakistan and Pakistan’s commander southern command were also present on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, April 7^th 2018.