Support for Afghan peace to continue, says COAS

-Visits Corps Headquarters Peshawar
-Lauds efforts of LEAs for bringing stability in the tribal districts
-Hails locals for aiding peace efforts in KPK
-Briefed on border management, fencing, and capacity enhancement of FC & police

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said that Pakistan will continue supporting the ongoing intra-Afghan dialogue as “peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. According to the military’s media wing, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said this during his visit to Corps Headquarters Peshawar yesterday. Appreciating officers and men of Peshawar Corps, the COAS lauded efforts of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), including FC and police, for bringing stability in the tribal districts, said ISPR.
Hailing sacrifices of local populace for peace and their earnest support to the armed forces in the war against terrorism, the army chief said that ongoing consolidation efforts shall take the hard-earned gains towards enduring peace and stability. He also highlighted the dividends of border control measures.
ISPR said that the COAS was given detailed updates on the security situation, border management including fencing, capacity enhancement of FC and police in newly merged tribal districts as a result of the transition to stability.
Earlier on January 11 ISPR said Chairman Hizb-e-Wahadat Islami Afghanistan and former Chairman Afghan High Peace Council Mohammad Karim Khalili were called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the GHQ.
According to the ISPR, matters of mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, connectivity and current developments in the Afghan Peace Process were discussed during the meeting between the COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa and Mohammad Karim Khalili.
The army chief said that peace in the neighbouring country means peace in Pakistan and a stable and prosperous Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours is in Pakistan’s national interest.
The chairman of Hizb-e-Wahadat Islami appreciated the positive role played by Pakistan and the COAS vision on the future of Pak-Afghan relations, said the army’s media wing. COAS Quetta Visit: On January 13, a statement released by ISPR said “at HQ Southern Command, COAS was apprised about prevailing security challenges in the province and the measures taken, including border management along Pakistan-Afghan and Pakistan-Iran Border,”.
“The COAS also spent time with the bereaved families of Machh incident victims and shared their grief. Gen Bajwa assured them that perpetrators of this heinous incident shall be brought to justice and blood of the martyrs will not go waste.”
In an address later, the Pakistan Army chief lauded the garrison officers’ preparedness and efforts in ensuring peace and stability in the province despite difficulties of terrain and distances involved. “Balochistan is in sharp focus of our enemies due to its strategic potential,” he said. “Balochistan is the future of Pakistan and progress and prosperity of the province is progress of the country.”
“The disruptive efforts by hostile forces won’t be allowed to succeed,” Gen Bajwa emphasised. “Security, stability, and prosperity of Balochistan shall be pursued and ensured to the hilt,” he added.–ISPR