Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army on Saturday supported a negotiated settlement of all disputes with India, especially the core issue of Indian-held Kashmir.

“It is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes – including the core issue of Kashmir – runs through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue,” Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa told the passing out parade of 137th PMA Long Course, 8th Mujahid Course and 56th Integrated Course at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul. “While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region. Pakistan remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour,” he added. “I, therefore, call upon all the stakeholders within the region and beyond to let’s give peace a chance.”

The army chief said that Pakistan is a peace loving country and seeks harmonious and peaceful co-existence with all countries, especially our neighbours. “However, this desire for peace must not, in any sense, be construed as a sign of weakness. Our valiant armed forces are fully prepared to respond across the full spectrum of threat in a befitting manner,” he warned.

The army chief expressed complete political and moral support to the basic right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Those peace loving innocent citizens are being subjected to one of the worst forms of state terrorism. It is high time for the world community to wake up and play its positive role to bring peace to that unfortunate part of the sub-continent,” he said.

Coming to the Afghan issue, the COAS said Pakistan is committed to peace and intra-Afghan reconciliation efforts in the war torn at all bilateral and multilateral forums. “We sincerely believe that there will be no peace in Pakistan if there is no peace in Afghanistan. Our peace is linked, therefore, we must work in unison with our Afghan brothers to achieve this goal,” he said.

On the terrorism issue, the COAS said that they have done their part to cleanse Pakistan of the scourge of terrorism and extremism without any distinction. “Our efforts have started to bear results. We are committed to continue these efforts, not out of any compulsion but to make Pakistan a safe, prosperous and progressive country,” he added.

The army chief said that the nation and its armed forces were united and focused towards the primary objective of eradication and elimination of terrorism. “As a result of past and ongoing operations, Pakistan has eliminated almost all organized terrorist presence and infrastructure from its soil. We are now going after the residual and scattered traces of this menace under the banner of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad,” he said. “In all humility, let me say that Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is not merely an operation: it is a concept, a resolve and a commitment of the nation to eradicate tumult from its soil.

It is guided by our collective resolve and belief that we will neither relent until the last terrorist is eliminated from our soil. We are also committed not to allow our soil to be used against any other country,” he reiterated.

The army chief said the enemies are trying to weaken resolve of the Pakistani nation by weakening it from within. “Our enemies know that they cannot beat us fair and square and have thus subjected us to a cruel, evil and protracted hybrid war. Had it been any nation than ours, it would have disintegrated by now. But since we enjoy complete confidence and support of our nation, we have defeated every move of these inimical forces and will continue to do so,” he added.

“Pakistan has totally rejected extremism and terrorism. We also refuse to be pulled asunder on issues of sect, ethnicity, caste or creed. The diversity of Pakistan is our strength. The very resilience of Pakistan comes not just from our military capacity but also from the synergetic mix of a people who have come together willingly towards a single purpose,” the army chief said. “As the army chief, I am very happy to see the progress that we have made so far. Let me acknowledge that such progress would not have been possible without the willing sacrifices and matchless courage of our people in general and Pashtun tribesmen of KP and FATA in particular. I salute their courage and sacrifice,” he added.

A total of 31 cadets from FATA, 67 cadets from Balochistan and 6 allied cadets from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were among the passing out cadets, according to a press statement issued by the ISPR.

Published in Daily Times, April 15^th 2018.