PESHAWAR: Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Hassan Azhar Hayat on Saturday visited Mirali subdivision of North Waziristan and Bara tehsil of Khyber district.

During his visit to Mirali, Gen Hayat inaugurated an army public school and also visited a boys’ hostel and Pakistan Sweet Home, Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement issued here.

Pakistan Sweet Home was established in 2017 and 96 orphans from Mirali and Miramshah areas are currently availing the facility free of expense.

Establishment of army public school was a popular demand of the locals. Students from grades 1 to 8 will study there.

The school has capacity to enroll 525 students at a time. The boys’ hostel is providing free accommodation to 123 students from adjoining areas.

The corps commander was also the chief guest at the passing out parade of basic military training course held at the Scouts Training Academy (South), Mirali. A total of 1,164 recruits from the 31st edition completed the training.

During his visit to Bara tehsil, Gen Hayat attended a jirga of tribal elders hailing from Tirah, Bagh Maidan, Rajgal, Landi Kotal, Bara, Mula Gori and Jamrud.

He lauded the sacrifices rendered by the tribesmen in achieving peace in the area and assured that the Pakistan Army would provide all possible assistance to the locals.

The elders thanked the army for restoration of peace in the area and ongoing efforts for socioeconomic development in the merged areas. They also assured their unflinching support to the security forces in maintaining peace in the region.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022