QUETTA: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the provincial capital on Tuesday and interacted with the participants of a workshop.

The National Workshop Balochistan aims to enhance understanding of the participants about critical national security issues, timely decision-making process, national security management system and elements of national power.

Speaking on the occasion, the COAS said progress and stability in Balochistan was critical to the prosperity of Pakistan. All stakeholders, including the army, had synergised their efforts for socio-economic uplift of the people of Balochistan, he added.

The army chief said measures like fencing of borders with Afghanistan and Iran, effective articulation of security apparatus deployed across the province and Quetta Safe City project would have positive impact on the overall security paradigm of Balochistan. Nefar­ious efforts of hostile elements to foment terrorism and create chaos in the province would not be allowed to succeed, he emphasised.

The COAS reiterated that Pakistan’s peace and prosperity were linked with commitment to democracy and its values.

Later, Gen Bajwa visited School of Infantry and Tactics.

He was briefed on new training modules, online examination systems enacted for young leadership and innovative systems/techniques being incorporated in training regime.

The COAS asked the faculty and students to stay abreast with developments in modern warfare. He appreciated the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff in grooming the young officers and soldiers for taking on the future challenges befittingly.

Earlier on arrival in Quetta, the army chief was received by Lt Gen Muhammad Waseem Ashraf, the Commander of Southern Command.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2020