QUETTA: Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa has said that Pakistan has been caught in the midst of many conspiracies by its enemies some of which saw Balochistan become a centre of terrorist activities. But, the general said, the brave people of the province and security forces together defeated the menace and peace has been restored in the province.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony of the Excellence Award at the headquarters of the Frontier Corps (FC), Lt Gen Bajwa said that Balochistan had been brought back on the fast track of development. He said militants had realised that they had made a mistake in taking up arms and were returning to their families. All of this, Lt Gen Bajwa said, showed that the people of Balochistan had rejected all movements against Pakistan.

Balochistan’s Inspector General FC Maj Gen Nadeem Anjum, Inspector General of Police Mohsin Butt, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri, provincial ministers and senior military as well as civilian officials were present at the ceremony.

Lt Gen Bajwa said that the FC played a crucial role in restoring peace to the region by making sacrifices. The general did, however, applaud the people of Balochistan for their resolute support to security officials. “It was the support of the people that paved the way for the armed forces to gain major victories. Pakistan Army, FC, Balochistan Police and Levies have been deployed to serve the deprived people of Balochistan and our armed forces remain steadfast in protecting the lives and properties of people in the province.”

He added that the government in Islamabad, the provincial leadership, and the military high command were all on the same page. All key institutions in the country, he claimed, want Balochistan to see its fair share of development. The general said that the Balochistan Development Programme had been launched to lead the province into a new age of prosperity.

Lt Gen Bajwa offered assistance to the provincial government in reforming the police force in Balochistan. The army, he said, is ready and committed to support and assist the provincial government at any level.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018