Pakistan’s foes want to hinder development process in Balochistan: COAS

QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday arrived in the city and attended a passing out parade of newly recruited Baloch personnel of the Pakistan Army.

Addressing the participants of the ceremony as the chief guest at Quetta garrison, General Bajwa said, “Completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will usher the province in a new era of development,” General Bajwa said, but added, “Our foes want to hinder that very development process.”

The army chief linked the success of Pakistan with the success of Balochistan and said, “Maintaining peace in Balochistan is the prime responsibility of the government.”

He said Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan and its resources need to be exploited “for the betterment of the people living here”.

“Balochistan continues to contribute towards national integration and development,” said COAS.

The COAS said, “Baloch youth have played a major role when it comes to defending the homeland.”

“I am pleased to be a part of Baloch recruits passing out parade and it makes me feel proud as I am from Baloch regiment too.”

General Bajwa also distributed awards among the Bloch recruits and felicitated them during the ceremony.

“The people of Balochistan are close to my heart,” he said and added, “This my third visit to the province after taking charge as the army chief.”

General Bajwa accepted the command of Pakistan’s military from General Raheel Sharif on November 29 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi as the 16th army chief of the world’s sixth-largest army by troop numbers in a colourful handover.