Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Thursday said that as the army consolidates the gains of Zarb-e-Azb, it would continue to take action against terrorists of all hue and colour. “Our resolve to break the nexus between terrorists, criminality and corruption is unflinching,” he said while talking to a gathering at the Chinese Embassy to commemorate the 89th anniversary of founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

General Raheel Sharif said that China and Pakistan were partners in fight against the menace of terrorism for the common good of humanity. “We seek enhanced regional cooperation to root out the menace of extremism and terrorism for enduring peace and stability in the region.”

He said the Pakistan Army and PLA form the edifice of the overall strategic relations between the two counties. “I am sure that the vast range of professional collaboration between PLA and Pakistan Army will continue to grow as a hallmark of the eternal friendship and common future of China and Pakistan.”

Talking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that the project was a strategic game-changer not just for Pakistan but for the entire region, and “we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success”.

He said that the CPEC is destined to bring significant improvement in the lives of hundreds of millions of people, besides further promoting mutual interdependence among regional states. He assured the Chinese leadership that security of the CPEC was the army’s national undertaking.

The army chief said that the two counties’ mutually beneficial engagements included defence collaboration and joint production ventures. “It also includes unified diplomatic front at all international platforms including United Nations, Association of South East Asian Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; and the splendid China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”

General Raheel Sharif highlighted the tremendous sacrifices made by the people of China in pursuing their dream through a united and unyielding struggle, which has certainly set a glorious precedent to follow. “I also take this opportunity to convey my sincere greetings and compliments to Chairman Xi Jinping, Central Military Commission Vice Chairman General Fan Changlong and Chief of Joint Staff General Fenghui on this day of commemoration.”

The COAS said that it was the day that turned a peasant army into a most formidable force, and “reminds us of the power of people’s unity for which no goal is too high, no distance too long and no task too hard”.

He said that the PLA was regarded as one of the finest military organisations of the world. “The professional standards of PLA, its technological outreach and enviable operational record stand testimony to my remarks.”

General Raheel Sharif said that the Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan take pride in the bonds of friendship with China. He said that this iconic relationship was sweeter than honey, higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans. “It is a symbol of our time-tested friendship and deep and impregnable relationship.”

He said that the affinity of views between China and Pakistan reflected the two countries’ common vision and shared destiny. “This convergence of our interests and commonality of purpose make us the most important strategic players in the region,” the army chief said.

In the end, he extended felicitations to the People’s Liberation Army on this historic day, saying that the people of Pakistan “truly admire your achievements and we are proud of being your close partners.”