RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the Pakistan Army is a great institution and its dignity and credibility will be upheld.

He said this during a visit to Jhelum and Kharian garrisons on Thursday, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations statement.

A briefing on the operational preparedness at Headquarters Central Command was given to the COAS on the occasion.

At the Para Ranges in Jhelum, Gen Bajwa witnessed the concluding session of the army firing competition.

A total of 667 military and civilian firers from across the country participated in the four-week event.

The special feature of the event was participation of 86 war wounded officers and soldiers in the competition.

Appreciating their performance, the COAS expressed the desire that with more focused preparations our teams should excel to represent Pakistan in international events.

Later, speaking at the Kharian garrison, he appreciated the officers for their contribution to counterterrorism operations as part of Operation Zarb-i-Azb.

He paid tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the love of the country, and also those who suffered injuries.

The Pakistan Army, he said, was a great institution.

Its dignity and credibility shall be upheld through “selfless performance of our role and duties”.

Earlier, the COAS was received by Commander Central Command Lt Gen Umar Farooq Durrani.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2017