— Says no option for terrorists but to submit to writ of state before they are decimated
— Army chief expresses concerns over sanctuaries available to banned outfits, liberty of action they enjoy on Afghan soil
PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Monday said that the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in Pakistan was detrimental to regional peace, stability, and a deviation from the Doha peace agreement by the interim Afghan government.
The army chief expressed these remarks during a visit to Peshawar, where he laid a floral wreath and offered prayers at the Yaadgar-e-Shuhada at Fort Bala Hisar, the headquarters of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Frontier Corps (FC). Upon arrival, COAS was received by the Commander of the Peshawar Corps.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS also met with tribal elders from the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of KP as well as notables from all walks of life.
During an interactive session, General Munir paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of the brave and resilient tribals of Pakistan and appreciated their indomitable resolve for standing shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in defeating the menace of terrorism.
“With the unflinching resolve of the nation, Pakistan is successfully countering terrorism to enable a stable and peaceful environment for socioeconomic development in the area,” COAS remarked.
“Terrorism has no place in Pakistan and the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in Pakistan is detrimental to regional peace, stability and deviation from the Doha peace agreement by the interim Afghan government,” he reiterated.
The army chief also expressed concerns over sanctuaries available to banned outfits and the liberty of action they enjoy on Afghan soil. “Pakistan will spare no effort to dismantle terrorist networks and protect its citizens at all costs,” he added.
According to the ISPR, the tribal elders assured that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its ideology will never be acceptable to any tribe and they will continue to stand with the state during thick and thin.
The COAS emphasised the potential of NMDs and ongoing efforts in uplifting the socio-economic growth under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
General Munir also expressed his views that KP province is blessed with huge reserves of mines and minerals, adding that it also has beautiful areas for tourism which will certainly change the destiny of the area for the good of the people.
“Pak Army stands with our tribal brothers and will never leave them alone as over the years they have given innumerable sacrifices for the peace and prosperity of the motherland. It’s time to develop all tribal areas and concentrate on youth,” COAS remarked.
The army chief reiterated the resolve of the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and other law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism until the elimination of this menace from the country. He showed resolve to finish the peril of narcotics which is becoming a lifeline for these TTP “khawarij“.
“The surge in terrorism in recent past is a futile effort on the part of terrorists to get the talks re-initiated; However, there is no option for these terrorists except to submit to the writ of state of Pakistan before they are decimated, if they persist on their wrong path.”
Gen Asim Munir reiterated that propaganda by inimical forces against the armed forces of Pakistan will be dealt with as per the law.
Paying tribute to the brave tribesmen, officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, FC, Levies, Khasadars and police, the COAS vowed that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not go in vain and complete peace will return to Pakistan.
