People of Balochistan have rejected foreign sponsored terrorists: Gen Raheel

RAWALPINDI:  As part of his farewell visits, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif visited Quetta on Tuesday, where he addressed officers and troops of Southern Command and Frontier Corps Balochistan, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

The army chief said that the people of Balochistan had clearly rejected foreign sponsored terrorists and helped the state in busting their network. While paying glowing tributes to the officers and soldiers of Southern Command and Frontier Corps, he said, "the tide in Balochistan has been turned against terrorists and their sympathizers, and large number of Ferraris were surrendering. We will continue to work with the provincial and federal governments towards greater security and stability".

He said, as army chief, security and assistance to civil government in institution building and development work in remote areas has been his priority which brought him to Balochistan almost every month.

The COAS commended Southern Command for managing an arduous task of construction of over 1000 KM long road network in the rugged and hostile terrain by FWO and NLC which helped in operationalisation of CPEC in a stipulated time frame.

General Sharif said that Gwadar port and CPEC would usher into new era of hope and prosperity for the area with dividends reaching a common man.

He also appreciated Southern Command for reintegrating youth by their mass induction into FC and army, rehabilitation of earthquake hit Awaran and training of 6000 policemen and Levies.

The army chief also appreciated the improvement in management of long and treacherous border with Afghanistan and Iran which has helped improve overall security situation in the province.