We called a lawyer for Kulbhushan Yadav: Gen Bajwa

Says easy to point fingers at army officials; no one realises our pain; everyone
must fulfil responsibilities; army can’t do everything on its own

RAWALPINDI: A seminar related to curbing extremism was held under the leadership of the Pakistan Army at the General Headquarters here on Thursday. During the seminar, an expert educationist Khalid Hamid said: “I run an institute. My son was a vice-chancellor who was murdered. My daughter also went abroad. No one has heard me till today. I knocked at all the doors but no one was there to hear my pleas. I want to get its answer from Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.”

The audience gave a thundering round of applause on this question. COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was not sitting on the stage. He was seated among the audience. He got the mike on his seat to answer the question.

The COAS said: “This country is everyone’s responsibility and the Pakistan Army can’t do everything alone. This country can’t progress if the army will be held accountable for everything. 30,000 men of our force have lost their lives in the war against terrorism. Army is called everywhere in this country when a problem arises. They don’t even get a few hours of relief. We move from one front to the other front everyday to defend our country. I am also in the same state of mind. This is our country and it is our responsibility.”

While talking about Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav, the COAS said that they had called a lawyer for Kulbhushan Yadav. “It is easy to question the army’s credibility but equally hard to realise their pain. We are standing with the police and bureaucracy. But the country will not prosper until you will take a stand. Whenever there is a problem in the country — in Balochistan, Punjab, KPK or Sindh — the army is called immediately.”

The Pak Army chief said that the youth, today, was straightforward, adding that no one could defeat Pakistan as long as our youth was filled with enthusiasm. While directing his response towards Khalid Hamid, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said: “I fully realise your pain. We will do whatever is possible in this case. I bear this pain everyday when my soldiers get killed in Fata. Whenever a Pakistani is killed, I feel the pain. We have lost 50,000 lives in this war. Rest assured that we will do as much as possible in your case.”