RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the youth are brimming with potential and would lead the country to a new era of peace and progress.

According to an official statement, the army chief said this while interacting with interns of the military media wing’s internship programme during his visit to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate on Monday.

Gen Bajwa said Pakistan was blessed with the most talented and vibrant youth and the country’s future belonged to them, adding that the state was determined to root out extremism and terrorism for which the youngsters had an important role to play.

He said that the nature and character of war had changed. “The youth is now prime target of our enemies in this hybrid war,” said the army chief.

He advised the youth to stay determined and defeat all such threats to take Pakistan forward to its rightful destination.

Acknowledging youth’s efforts on the historic merger of erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gen Bajwa said that this mainstreaming would facilitate bringing enduring peace, stability and socio-economic development for the long-neglected and terrorism-rid area.

Education should remain national priority, he added, saying that the Pakistan Army was determined to provide wholehearted support towards this state objective, especially in Balochistan.

“Establishment of NUST Campus in Balochistan and Khush Hal Balochistan are testimony of our commitment,” he maintained.

The annual internship programme comprised students of various educational institutions from across the country.

Published in Dawn, August 07th, 2018