PESHAWAR: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the Pak-Afghan border in the Bajaur tribal region on Wednesday, according to an Inter-Services Public Rela­tions (ISPR) statement.

The COAS was briefed on the efforts being made to effectively check the infiltration routes used by militants on the other side of the border, progress on fencing, construction of forts and posts along the border and development of new tracks to facilitate the area residents.

The statement said that while interacting with the troops, Gen Bajwa appreciated their high morale and effective border security measures.

Later in Peshawar, the army chief met ulema from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtun­khwa. He lauded their support in the fight against terrorism and acknowledged their contribution to maintaining peace and harmony.

The ulema condemned terrorism and pledged their continued support to efforts made by the security forces for bringing stability.

The COAS said that Pakistan belonged to all Pakistanis — without any religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic or sectarian identity. The Peshawar corps comman­der was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2017