RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif visited on Friday the headquarters of the newly raised Special Security Division (SSD) for the China-Pakistan Econo­mic Corridor (CPEC).

According to a press release issued by the ISPR, the COAS was given a detailed briefing on progress in raising the force and wide-ranging security aspects regarding the CPEC.

Gen Sharif reiterated the army’s commitment to providing security for CPEC and the workforce involved in the project, terming it a game-changer for the country which had the potential to transform the lives of its people.

He stressed the need for ensuring a peaceful environment for executing the plan­ned development projects.

“We are totally aware of all campaigns against the corridor and the security forces are ready to pay any price to turn this long-cherished dream into reality.”

He said all possible measures must be taken in coordination with law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to make the CPEC a success and beneficial for all.

ISPR Director General Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said in a tweet that the division raised for protecting the CPEC was “coming up well” and “timelines” were being met.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2016