Army chief supports talks with India on basis of equality

ABBOTABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said Pakistan had completely eradicated terrorism and extremism from its soil which would not have been possible without the sacrifices of Pashtun tribesmen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

“Let me acknowledge that such progress would not have been possible without the willing sacrifices and matchless courage of our people in general and Pashtun tribesmen of KPK and FATA in particular. I salute their courage and sacrifice,” he said while speaking as Chief Guest at the passing out parade of Pakistan Army’s 137th Long Course at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul on Saturday.

The passing out cadets also included 31 from FATA and 67 from Balochistan besides six cadets from Saudi Arabia.

The army chief said the infrastructure of terrorists had been destroyed and they had no sanctuaries in the country anymore.

He said Operation Raddul Fasaad, which is based on strong resolve and faith of the nation, will continue against the remnants of terrorists. The army chief said we will not let our soil be used against anyone.

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Throwing light on complexity of modern day warfare, the army chief said Modern Warfare was an exceedingly vast and complex domain which demanded thorough knowledge and ingenuity. Pakistan was facing enormous challenges both in conventional and sub-conventional domains, he said.

COAS Bajwa said the present concept of command and leadership was more demanding than ever. Leading your men in complex future operations required you to be at your very best, he said.

“Our enemies know, that they cannot beat us fair and square and have thus subjected us to a cruel, evil and protracted hybrid war. They are trying to weaken our resolve by weakening us from within. Had it been any nation than ours, it would have disintegrated by now. But since we enjoy complete confidence and support of our nation, we have defeated every move of these inimical forces and will Insha ALLAH, continue to do so,” he said.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said the enemy knew it could never defeat us, therefore it was trying to entangle us through non-traditional means.

He said the nation and the armed forces were united to defeat the menace of terrorism.

Drawing the attention of world community towards Indian brutalities in Occupied Kashmir, the Army Chief expressed Pakistan’s complete political and moral support to the basic right of self-determination for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

He said peace loving innocent citizens of occupied Kashmir were being subjected to one of the worst forms of state terrorism and it was high time for the world community to wake up and play its positive role to bring peace to that unfortunate part of the sub-continent.

On Pak-India disputes, the Army chief said it was our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, ran through a comprehensive and meaningful dialogue on the basis of sovereign equality .

He said Pakistan remained committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.

About Afghanistan, General Qamar Javed Bajwa said Pakistan was committed to peace and Intra Afghan reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan at all bilateral and multilateral forums.

“We sincerely believe that there will be no peace in Pakistan, if there is no peace in Afghanistan,” he said.

The COAS said: “Pakistan has totally rejected extremism and terrorism. We also refuse to be pulled asunder on issues of sect, ethnicity, caste or creed. The diversity of Pakistan is our strength. The very resilience of Pakistan comes, not just from our military capacity, but from the synergetic mix of a people who have come together, willingly towards a single purpose. In this regard, Pakistan Army is fully cognizant of its national responsibilities.”

The cadets of 8th Mujahid Course and 56th Integrated Course also passed out during the ceremony. The Army Chief inspected the parade and distributed prizes among the cadets.

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The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Syed Hasnain Ali of 137th Long Course while the President’s Gold Medal was given to Battalion Senior Under Officer Abdul Wahab Malik. Under Officer Saud from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia received the Overseas Gold Medal.

Major General Akhtar Nawaz Satti, Commandant Pakistan Military Academy and large number of senior serving / retired armed forces personnel, parents and relatives of passing out cadets witnessed the parade.