Daily Times

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday said kinetic operations alone can’t end any conflict, adding that the exercise is always followed by a rehabilitation and development effort.

“No conflict ends through kinetic operations alone. There is always a post-operation rehabilitation and development effort,” he told a combined jirga of elders from North and South Waziristan in Wana. The army chief said that while stability operations continue alongside fencing of the Afghan border, progress on socio-economic prong is also gaining momentum. “The same shall get more attention through implementation of merger measures,” he added.

The army chief said terrorism and development can’t go together. “Therefore, collectively we have to make sure that unrest doesn’t return,” he asserted. He urged all those concerned, especially the local population, to remain vigilant in order to retain the peace and stability in the area by safeguarding the environment from inimical forces who are conspiring to reverse the gains. He said that peace has largely returned to the region, however a few IED incidents have recently taken place in North Waziristan.

The army chief said that the suggestions offered by tribal elders were valid and most of those were already included in the mid- to long-term development plan of the government.? He also thanked the local tribal elders for their support and cooperation towards the security forces.

The tribal elders thanked the army chief for restoration of peace in the area, merger of FATA into KP and ongoing efforts for socio-economic development in the area. They also assured the army chief of their unflinching support to security forces and the government. They highlighted requirements for additional communication infrastructure, electricity, water, educational institutions and upgraded cellular network facilities in the region.?

Earlier, the army chief was briefed about stabilisation operations and progress of fencing along Pak-Afghan border in Waziristan at Angoor Adda. The COAS appreciated quality and speed of the fencing work.?

Peshawar Corps Commander and IGFC KP (South) were also present on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, August 30^th 2018.