04 April 2004	Sunday	13 Safar 1425

QUETTA, April 3: The number of youth recruited from Balochistan had registered a five-fold increase, says Vice-Chief of Army Staff Gen Muhammad Yusaf Khan.

The military, he said, had taken a number of steps to increase the induction of people from Balochistan.

He said this after inaugurating the newly-constructed candidate's block and administrative facility at the Inter- Services Selection Board Centre here on Friday.

The building was constructed at a cost of Rs13.7 million.

He said that establishment of the ISSB centre in Quetta was part of steps in this regard, adding that a large number of youths from Balochistan had joined Pakistan Army.

The ISSB centre was established in Quetta in 1989 and since then over 2,300 youths have joined the army while 262 youths from Balochistan took regular commissions in the Army.

Earlier, the vice-chief of army staff witnessed firing being conducted in the Pishin Ranges. He lauded the newly developed facilities, which enables realistic combat firing of all weapon system. The largest indigenously-developed state-of-the-art firing system had immense potential for export.

During his stay in Quetta, the vice-chief of army staff called on the commander of the 12th Corps.

Focussing on internal and external threats being faced by Pakistan, he called for the best possible measures to counter these threats.

Gen Yusaf Khan stressed the need for maintaining effective communication besides preparing commands to meet all present and potential challenges.

The Corps Commander of the 12 Corps, Lt-Gen Shahid Hamid was also present on the occasion.