Gen Bajwa stresses on retaining peace and stability in tribal areas

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday visited South Waziristan where he was briefed about stabilisation operations and progress of fencing along Pak-Afghan border in Angoor Adda.

The army chief appreciated quality and speed of work. Later, he addressed combined jirga of tribal elders from North and South Waziristan at Wana, said a statement by the army’s press wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The tribal elders thanked the army chief for restoration of peace in the area, merger of FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ongoing efforts for socio-economic development in the area.

They also assured their unflinching support to security forces and the state. They highlighted that additional communication infrastructure, electricity, water, educational institutions and upgraded cellular network facilities were required in the area.

Gen Bajwa thanked local tribal elders for their support and cooperation for the security forces. He said that peace has largely returned, however a few IED incidents have recently taken place in North Waziristan.

He said that no conflict ends through kinetic operations alone, and there is always a post operations rehabilitation and development effort.

He said that while stability operations continue alongside border fencing, progress on socio-economic prongs is also gaining momentum. The same shall get more attention through implementation of merger measures, he said.

Gen Bajwa said that terrorism and development cannot go together, therefore they have to make sure that unrest doesn’t return.

He asked all concerned especially the local population to remain vigilant to retain the attained peace and stability in the area by safeguarding the environment from inimical forces who are eyeing to reverse the gains.

He said that the suggestions offered by tribal elders are valid and most of these are already included in the mid to long-term development plan of the government.