Daily Times

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said the war against terrorism and militancy was not over yet, according to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“After kinetic operations we are now into the phase of stability operations. War against terrorism and militancy is not over yet,” the army chief said during a visit to the Multan Garrison. “Besides kinetic efforts, we have to take measures to address the root causes while staying cognisant of inimical forces and foreign hostile agendas,” he said during an interaction with officers of the Multan Garrison.

“Within the folds of national action plan, we shall support national focus on socio-economic development so that people of Pakistan reap dividends of improving security,” the army chief said while sharing his thoughts on the security situation of the country, challenges and the response. “Some elements are wittingly or unwittingly trying to pull the country back into confrontation,” he warned. “State shall not let them do it whether on the name of religion, ethnicity or any other pretext,” he maintained, adding that peace, stability and progress of the country is contingent upon rule of law by all.

The COAS also witnessed training demonstration on combat readiness by an armour formation of the strike corps and underlined that an army deters war through professional competence and readiness.

Published in Daily Times, November 24^th 2018.