LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited Miranshah area of North Waziristan to show solidarity with the officers and jawans of Pakistan Army on Tuesday. He visited the Pak-Afghan border area as well as the 7th Division Headquarters where he was briefed by General Officer Commander Major General Azhar Abbasi. He laid a floral wreath at the monument of the martyrs and offered fateha for the departed souls. The Punjab chief minister paid rich tributes to the great sacrifices of martyrs who laid down their lives for the beloved motherland. He also went to Katoon area falling at the fringe of Pak-Afghan border where he was briefed about management of the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and its fencing. During the visit, the CM also went to Younis Khan Sports Complex. Talking on the occasion, he said that fencing of Pak-Afghan border has helped to overcome the incidents of terrorism. Punjab government has extended its support for fencing in past and will also do the same in future. The CM said that he has come to Miranshah and at the border area to show solidarity with the brave officers and jawans of Pak Army. The history of most daring examples of success in war against terrorism has been written with the blood of our brave sons, he said. He said that there is no other example of such great sacrifices in the history of the nations and the historic efforts put forth by the Pak Army will never be forgotten by the nation. In fact, the role of Pak Army will be written with golden words for overcoming the menace of terrorism from the beloved motherland. The whole nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces of Pakistan. War against terrorism is the struggle of national survival and we have to won it at every cost. He said that success of operation Radul Fasad after Zarb-e-Azb is the triumph of the whole nation and added that he salutes the officers and jawans over their bravery and courage. In fact, such a war has never been fought in the history of the nations and the unforgettable role played by the Armed Forces will never be forgotten by Pakistani nation, concluded the CM. Senator Mushahid Hussain, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Ameer Muqam and Punjab government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan also accompanied the CM. Major General Azhar Abbasi said that more than 4,500 officers and jawans of 11th Corps have sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism whereas more than 16,000 officers and jawans have been injured. He disclosed that 521 major operations have been conducted against the terrorists and their facilitators and as a result of these strenuous efforts, terrorists have been totally flushed out from the North Waziristan. Published in Daily Times, May 30th 2018.