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ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has counselled unnamed neighbours to address problems at home instead of blaming Pakistan for their woes.
“Terrorism cannot be defeated by closing eyes to one’s own responsibilities and resorting to throwing blame outside as being done by a few players in the region,” Gen Bajwa said at the National Defence University here without naming the countries he was referring to. He was addressing participants of the National Security and War Course.
Pakistan’s primary concern has been the blame game by Afghanistan and India, whose officials routinely accuse Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism on their soil. Afghan authorities blame most of terrorist acts in their country on Pakistan, while India uses the terrorism card to discredit the uprising in held Kashmir and at the same time refuse dialogue with the neighbour over bilateral disputes.
Army chief says Pakistan has indiscriminately fought terrorism at home
Islamabad has on a number of occasions rejected the allegations.
Kabul has repeatedly been asked to shun the blame game and start cooperating in fighting what is described as the “common enemy”.
“The threat requires a trust based coordinated response rather than a blame game or unwarranted skirmishes,” Gen Bajwa had said earlier this week while visiting Peshawar Corps. His message was directed towards Afghan authorities.
Pakistan and Afghanistan had on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana agreed to undertake specific actions against terror groups, which were to be identified through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, and a mechanism for verification of those actions.
Gen Bajwa said Pakistan “indiscriminately” fought terrorism at home. He pledged to root out terrorism through the ongoing Raddul Fasaad military operation, which has been continuing for months.
The army on Friday announced elimination of two terrorists in an intelligence-based operation, carried out as part of Raddul Fasaad in Dera Ghazi Khan.
The two terrorists were planning to target a public gathering identified as “religious activity”.
Moreover, recovery of a huge cache of weapons and ammunition was made during a raid in North Waziristan’s Dattakhel tehsil.
Gen Bajwa said the full spectrum of threat demands, which covers both internal and external challenges, requires comprehensive national response.
“The Army is fully engaged in enabling that response in coordination with other institutions of the state. … Pakistan Army is committed to defence and security of the country and shall continue to perform with support of the people of Pakistan,” he maintained.
Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2017
Comments (26) Closed
Can we bring back Raheel Sharif?
Bajwa is a very mature, calm , responsible and professional man. Much respects from India. He will root out all antisocial elements from Pakistan
If countries including those who you call as brothers are blaming you, that should be a serious matter to introspect. Rather you prefer to close your eyes and pretend that nothing is wrong!!
Empty and useless statements all the time!. Do something concrete on the eastern and western borders and also stop the drones.
Blaming Pak has become fashion. Pak needs to find way to revert this negative trend.
infiltrion and cross boder issues if solved will produce paradise on south asia.
Don't think Pakistan will have a COAS stronger than General Raheel Sharif. Country missed a great opportunity to promote him as Field Marshal.
With bad economy, we are nothing regardless of how politically correct we are.
Rather than statements , the need of the hour for Pakistan is this - BE HONEST DON'T LIE.
@Sher Khan please don't ask someone who has retired to come back, let the process work and mature
Can we not give too much coverage to the generals, they have a job to do, which is to protect the Borders.
With all due respect Gen, it's very difficult to swallow what you are saying. Anti terrorism drive has always been sparing someone or the other.
All countries who share border with Pakistan have problems with it, be it India, Iran or Afghanistan. Time to ponder, Pakistan. US senators are blaming Pak and drone strikes inside Pakistan is quite heavy by US forces.
Its not one neighbour. All your neighbours are complaining. Are they all wrong and only you are right.
please see the history
Just hope that the words will be followed by actions. Stay tuned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Portugal, the Netherlands and the US beginning June 24, during which he will hold talks on key bilateral issues including boosting of trade and security ties. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said Modi would visit Portugal on June 24, the US on June 25 and 26, and the Netherlands on June 27.
PM Modi will be going to only Washington DC during his US trip, will hold talks with President Donald Trump on regional security situation as also ways to enhance cooperation in bilateral areas of strategic importance. In the US, he will have a community event as well as a meeting with the business leaders.
Ahead of the US tour, Modi will visit Portugal, where he will hold talks with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa. “We are working on several documents to strengthen India-Portugal economic, scientific and cultural engagements and we expect to finalise and sign these documents essentially which are in the nature of memorandum of understanding,
On Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, the spokesperson has said India and he Netherlands are celebrating 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year and therefore, the trip is more significant. During his visit, the prime minister will meet Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Advice is cheapest thing in world which everyone gives. Pakistan need to interospect why world community not buying their narrative if he believes its true.
I can define the whole terrorism spectrum in South Asia in one or two sentences.
India does not want to talk to Pakistan over Kashmir so the only way to stall the talks is to play the terrorism card. Uri type attacks benefit India more than Pakistan. Keeping the LoC hot benefits India more than it benefits Pakistan.
The other side is Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan so why would Pakistan create chaos in Afghanistan? Doesn't make sense. Who wants to keep the chaos going in Afghanistan to keep Pakistan on the boil specially in Baluchistan and who has uttered the B word recently in speeches? Yup you guessed it right.
One only needs to logically look at the situation and conclude who is creating terrorism in South Asia. It's not too difficult.
@Fact Because the world sees 200 billion dollars worth of weapon buying spree by India in next 10 years so all her sins are forgiven in Kashmir and elsewhere. It's money that talks and not the truth. Why are Saudis always given a free pass? Because they have oil and they have dollars and both are needed by the West.
If Pakistan had 100 billion dollars looking for weapons I can guarantee you Kashmir will be resolved in 6 months.
@timetostopthis All of India's neighbours also have border dispute with her so what exactly is your point?
Mr. Bajwa, As a professional soldier you should know that foriegn affairs do not fall into your area of responsibilities. People of Pakistan have charged the armed forces and pay them for the defence of their country's borders. They(people of Pakistan) their representives to the parliament to run the country. They are responsible for formulating country's foriegn policy and speak on it.
@Sachin We hope, you get one like that in India too