ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa on Thursday endorsed the issues being raised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) but said some elements within the rights movement were out to exploit the terrorism victims for their vested interests.

“The issues being highlighted are genuine and natural in the post- operation environment,” he said during an interaction with students of different universities at the headquarters of Peshawar Corps.

According to quotes shared with the media through a press release, Gen Bajwa noted that the PTM was not an issue but there were some elements within it who were “playing in foreign hands” and “by design exploiting sentiments of the people who have actually suffered at the hands of terrorism”. He said these terrorism victims needed care.

His remarks were more in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s position on the PTM issue. Mr Khan also believes that PTM’s demands are correct, but the tone of its leadership is unacceptable.

Issues raised are genuine, acknowledges army chief

The army chief reassured the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa youth that the government and the security forces were working to address genuine issues of the tribesmen irrespective of the fact where they come from. “For us progress towards enduring peace through socioeconomic development comes first and we shall fail all inimical forces and their conspiracies trying to undo our gains,” he further said.

Gen Bajwa praised the people of the country and its armed forces for fighting against terrorism. He said the country was blessed with dynamic and talented youth and future of Pakistan belonged to them. It was time now to have its dividends through socioeconomic development in which education was most important, he added.

The students, the Inter-Services Public Relations said, promised not to be swayed by the propaganda of the ‘detractors’. They pledged support for the Army and vowed to contribute to the country’s development instead of being bystanders.

It was the first time since last August that Gen Bajwa directly addressed the issue of the PTM, which has found wide traction among the Pashtun youth.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2019