States facing internal conflict collapse: Gen Raheel

COLOMBO: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Sunday said the states that suffered from internal conflict collapsed because their institutions, particularly the armed forces, were unable to sustain themselves.
He said this while addressing a reception hosted for him by the Quetta Alumni Association, says a press release issued by the ISPR.The Association is an effective body of large group of Sri Lankan military students trained in Pakistan.
General Raheel said the relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was special, and defence and security cooperation had been central to this relationship.“We would always stand with our brothers on their way to greater security and prosperity,” said the general.
Paying rich tributes to the Sri Lankan armed forces for their resilience, professionalism and sacrifices in the war against terrorism, General Raheel said Sri Lanka had fought a long war against terrorism and its model of counter-insurgency and later efforts for sustainable peace were a textbook case.
“Pakistan and Sri Lanka have shown resilience in their fight against terrorism for bringing peace and stability in the region.”Referring to the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb, General Raheel said the aim of this operation was to bring enduring peace and stability in Pakistan and the region.
“With the support of our nation, we have successfully dismantled their infrastructure and created significant effects. We as a nation are determined to take this surge to its logical end, whatever it may take.” Earlier, on arrival at the reception, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General A W J C De Silva, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army.