Daily Times

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday said that some elements were trying to influence the minds of the country’s youth to create dissatisfaction and anarchy in the society.

“Pakistan Army will ensure the defence of the motherland in discharge of our constitutional duties. It is for everyone to ensure that they abide by law of the land and remain within the bounds of constitution,” an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement quoted the army chief as saying while interacting with youth from universities in Quetta.

The army chief called upon the youth to take Pakistan forward through devotion, hard work and character. General Bajwa emphasised that the army would wholeheartedly support the government in bringing a revolution, particularly in the fields of education, health, electricity, water and infrastructure.

“Our aim is to ensure that Balochistan does not have to rely on any quota or special arrangement, rather people have the same level of life as they can in other parts of the country.”

The COAS stressed that Pakistan had rejected terrorism and through the sacrifices of armed forces backed by the nation had achieved a better peace.

Earlier, General Bajwa inaugurated work on fencing along the Balochistan portion of the Pak-Afghan border at Panjpai. The inauguration was also attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

During his interaction with tribal elders, COAS thanked them for their support and cooperation in fencing as well as their participation in maintaining security. The COAS stressed that fencing would check the cross-border movement of terrorists. He added that special arrangements had been made to facilitate bilateral economic activity and legal movement through designated crossing points.

Chief Minister Bizenjo thanked the Pakistan Army and FC for working hand in glove with the provincial government to achieve a common vision for a shining Balochistan.

The COAS also did the earth breaking ceremony of NUST Quetta Campus and inaugurated the Quetta Safe City Project.

The NUST Campus has an estimated cost of Rs2.63 billion and spans over 30 acres. 550 students will be provided housing and besides usual disciplines, fields pandering to specific requirements of Balochistan such as mining, water resource and engineering will also be taught.

The Safe City Project costs Rs2.28 billion and had been held up for the last five years. Upon its completion, it will result in quick incremental improvement in the law and order situation and make Quetta more safe and secure.

Published in Daily Times, May 9^th 2018.