ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday vowed to restore peace and the rule of law in the country, whatever sacrifices it might cost.

He said some people and hostile agencies from abroad were trying to destabilise Pakistan and its army. “They fear army being a hurdle to achieve their nefarious designs.”

Gen Bajwa said the army would continue to perform in the best interest of the country and stand by the nation against all challenges. “Pakistan’s enemy is our enemy. Use of force is the prerogative of state alone.”

The army chief made the remarks during his meeting with the parents of Lieutenant Arslan Alam in their village near Murree.

Lt Alam was martyred in an attack carried out from across the Afghan border into the Rajgal Valley in Khyber Agency on Saturday.

Gen Bajwa offered Fateha at the grave of Lt Alam and interacted with the family. He paid tribute to Lt Alam and said the army and the nation were proud of their martyrs who had rendered supreme sacrifices in the line of duty. Lt Alam, being the only son of the family with three sisters, preferred his country over himself and his family.

“No power can harm us till such time we have such valiant sons of soil and their brave parents in Pakistan,” the army chief said.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2017