QUETTA: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that Balochistan “is future of Pakistan and it is our duty to fully assist the government and people of the province to ensure a shining future for them”.

During his visit to the Southern Command’s headquarters here on Thursday, the army chief was briefed on the security situation in the province, the National Action Plan, Operation Raddul Fasaad and socio-economic development undertaken as part of the Khushal Balochistan Programme (KBP).

He expressed satisfaction over the overall security situation in the province.

Gen Bajwa hoped that the steps taken under the KBP would help improve the overall security and socioeconomic indicators in the province.

Later, the army chief visited School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta, and met the faculty. He said the army had played an important role in reducing internal security threats as well as responding effectively along the borders.

Gen Bajwa said that the nation acknowledged and fully supported the army’s contributions in the fight against terrorism and militancy. “We shall always come up to the expectations of the people of Pakistan who are our real strength,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2019