Pakistan Army side, so far there have been 63 Shaheeds and 238 wounded in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Briefing the delegation, Maj. Gen. Zafarullah Khan told the Defence Committee that terrorists infrastructures in North Waziristan have been destroyed with 40 factories producing illicit arms, ammunition and IEDs demolished and 137 tons of explosive material for making IEDs was unearthed.
On the way back, the delegation was also taken to the Bakka Khel Camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) where 20,000 persons from North Waziristan are living with their families under the military supervision. During the briefing by Maj. Gen. Rao who is incharge of the rehabilitation and reconstruction operation, the delegation was informed that close to Rs90 billion would be needed for the final return of rehabilitation and reconstruction of destroyed properties of the IDPs. The delegation praised the efficient functioning and friendly atmosphere in the IDP Camp.
Addressing the officers and soldiers during the visit, Senator Mushahid Hussain said “the people, political parties and Parliament of Pakistan are proud of their armed forces for waging valiant war to preserve and protect Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan. He also praised the “tremendous initiative and outstanding leadership demonstrated by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif who has led from the front in the war on terror and has reversed wrongs of the past which were based on faulty assumptions by drawing a distinction between good and bad terrorists’.
Senator Mushahid Hussain said, “we are your voice in Parliament as you have displayed professionalism of the highest order and exemplary courage adding that this was not only the need of the hour but this was something that should have been undertaken long before. He said the “road to peace, security and stability in Pakistan and the region lies through peace and prosperity in North Waziristan”.
The delegation was also briefed that a number of foreign terrorists have been killed in the operation that included Arabs, Chechens, Uzbeks and Uighurs. They were also informed about the de-radicalisation programme as well as efforts for promoting education of Fata. The delegation was also told by the Corps Commander that this year alone, 455 students from Fata were studying in various universities of Pakistan.
During the visit to Bakka Khel, the delegation was informed that over 50 NGOs and institutions of civil society were playing positive role for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the IDPs. The delegation included Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq, Senator Haji Adeel, Senator Farhatullah Babar, Senator Sehar Kamran and Senator Abdul Rauf. Dr. Syed Parvaiz Abbas, Secretary of the Committee also accompanied the delegation.
According to an ISPR press release on arrival at Peshawar, the delegation was given detailed briefing regarding Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber. The visiting dignitaries were also apprised of the arrangements being made for the early return of IDPs.
Senators lauded the role played by the security forces in war against terrorism and paid rich tribute to the sacrifices of Shuhada and injured soldiers of the security forces. They also appreciated the development works being undertaken by Pakistan Army for the betterment of their tribal brothers in Fata and arrangements being made for the early return of IDPs.
Delegation also laid a floral wreath at Yadgar I Shuhada and APS monument and offered “Fateha” for the martyrs of APS and LEAs. Later, the Senators visited Miranshah and were shown the destroyed and captured militant’s hideouts, IED factories, tunnels, suicide bombers training centres and arms and ammunition recovered from terrorists. Dignitaries also visited Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bannu and met with the IDPs. They appreciated the sacrifices rendered by these tribal brethren for the defence of motherland.