RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday visited South Waziristan and inaugurated multiple development projects as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan after the end of combat operations in the area, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief, as part of his visit, inaugurated a cadet college in Wana which was funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The cadet college will provide education for upto 500 children of the area, according to the ISPR statement.

General Raheel Sharif also commissioned into service a 132-KV grid station, and a 54 kilometre long transmission line at Wana, as part of efforts to bring modern electrical infrastructure to the area. The new electrical infrastructure will fulfil a major demand of the local populace, said the ISPR statement.

“These development projects would improve quality of life of the common people, create job opportunities and usher this area into economic prosperity, which is our main objective,” stated the army chief.

In Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), the army chief also inaugurated a USAID funded 62km road between DI Khan and Tank.

“Operation Zarb-i-Azb is in its final stage, and Pakistan Army has evicted terrorists from the area with the support of the entire nation,” stated General Raheel Sharif.

The army chief, on the occasion also appreciated the support lent by the tribals of the area, and paid a tribute to their sacrifices. He urged the tribals to continue their support to the ongoing security and rehabilitation operations.

Military operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched in North Waziristan on June 15 following a brazen militant attack on Karachi's international airport and the failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators.

Authorities have since vowed to intensify operations, using air strikes, artillery and mortars to take back territory both in the border regions and other parts of the country.

North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) governed by tribal laws which is situated along the Pak-Afghan border.