Foreign-sponsored terror greatest threat to Balochistan: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, while emphasising that Pakistan seeks peace in the region and beyond, said on Monday that if Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was violated, it would respond with full force to preserve its national prestige and wellbeing of its people.

He interacted with participants in 15th National Workshop Balochistan at GHQ here. He underscored that foreign-sponsored terrorism remains the gravest threat to Balochistan’s security and development.

The army chief warned that the nefarious designs of hostile elements, who seek to incite violence, spread fear, and destabilise the province, would not be allowed to succeed. Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve, the COAS said that terrorism knows no religion, sect, or ethnicity, and must be confronted with unwavering national unity. Terrorist groups that perpetrate terror in the name of Baloch identity to advance their petty insidious agenda, are a blemish on Baloch honour and patriotism, he added.

The COAS also made it clear that Pakistan’s armed forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue to fight menace of terrorism with complete support of people of Pakistan. The army chief also highlighted government’s persistent focus on improving the socioeconomic profile of Balochistan, and stated that the scale and scope of ongoing and planned initiatives should serve to dispel the blatant disinformation in this regard. Many development projects have already started bearing fruit, benefiting the people of Balochistan, he added.

Appreciating the role of civil society members in raising awareness among the people of Balochistan, specially the youth, the COAS emphasised their role in enabling the progress leading to prosperity.

Since 2016, the National Workshop Balochistan brings together a large number of male and female parliamentarians, bureaucrats, members of civil society, youth, academia and media representatives, with maximum representation from Balochistan.

The workshop encompasses interactions, seminars, group discussions and visits to different parts of the country. It is aimed at enabling future leadership of Balochistan in understanding vital national and provincial issues and mounting cohesive response.