GHALANAI: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif has expressed hopes that contingency measures taken by Afghanistan in areas near the Pakistan border will help check cross-border terrorism and called for further improving border coordination between the two countries. 

He was referring to the recently launched sanitisation operations by the Afghan National Army in areas opposite Mohmand and Bajaur agencies.

The army chief, who visited Mohmand Agency on Tuesday to review the security situation, was briefed on progress in stabilisation operations, including the ongoing development projects being carried out by the army. He expressed the hope that such projects would help root out terrorism on a long-term basis and provide education and job opportunities to the youth.

The COAS praised officers and soldiers for their dedication and sacrifices in fighting terrorism and bringing stability to Mohmand. He stressed the need for following a comprehensive and uniform reconstruction and rehabilitation policy across Fata after the area was cleared of terrorists.

Praising the tribal people for playing a significant role in expelling terrorists from their area, Gen Sharif reiterated that “we will never abandon these areas without fully restoring them to functional normalcy”.

Published in Dawn January 28th, 2015

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