UK army general arrives in Pakistan, hails Paigham-e-Pakistan fatwa against extremism

RAWALPINDI: Chief of General Staff (CGS) UK Army General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter in a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday hailed Paigham-e-Pakistan fatwa (a religious decree) against extremism.

The UK general said this shall have far reaching effects against extremist narrative. He has arrived on two days’ official visit to Pakistan.

Both the military leaders discussed bilateral issues and regional security situation. The UK CGS acknowledged positive results of Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism and recent measures taken along Pak-Afghan Border including the fencing for improvement in border control.

COAS Bajwa highlighted the need for collective action within a collaborative framework to help encourage peace and stability in the region.

The visiting general along with the army chief visited Girdi Jungle, Balochistan, which has recently been sanitised. The delegation was given detailed briefing on security situation and security operations in support of Khushal Balochistan Program.

The visitors were highly appreciative of the professionalism and dedication with which the sanitization operation had been conducted. Girdi Jungle, a small village before 1979, had swelled to a town of around 60,000 inhabitants with the majority being Afghan refugees.

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Over the years it had been converted into a hub of criminal and narco activities, facilitating both smugglers and terrorists in their nefarious agenda. The area is now free from inimical influence.

The visitors also flew over the border town of Brabchah and were briefed on the peculiar environment of the area and steps taken to secure Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan. The dignified and ordered resettlement of Afghan refugees and measures to spread dividends of peace in larger region also came under discussion during the visit.

British high commissioner, British defence attache in Pakistan and commander southern command were also present during the visit.