TAXILA: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has reiterated the commitment that there will be no compromise on strengthening the defence capability of the country.

Gen Bajwa visited the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) on Wednesday, where he was given a detailed briefing on defence production, including ongoing and future defence projects.

Secretary of Defence Production retired Lt Gen Mohammad Ijaz Chaudhry was present on the occasion.

The COAS appreciated the performance and commitment of the industrial unit towards quality production.

“The HIT has a history of contributions to strengthen conventional defence capability of the country, especially tanks and armoured personnel carriers. No compromise shall be made towards this [defence production] end, irrespective of the constraints,” said the army chief.

He expressed satisfaction over the industry’s efficiency, and directed its chairman to expedite the ongoing projects so that they were completed in time.

He assured the HIT that the army would support the defence industry.

Later, the COAS witnessed a display of the capability and various projects in hand.

On the occasion, the army chief inaugurated a workshop for rebuilding the Ukrainian T-80UD tanks.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2017