Resolution of citizens’ problems first priority of state: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor on Sunday said resolution of problems faced by citizens is the first priority of the state. He said a jirga was held on the instructions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to resolve the issues of traders from the North Waziristan Agency.

According to Geo News, the military spokesman said in the press statement that there exists no issue that cannot be resolved through talks. The decision to form a committee under the supervision of the North Waziristan Agency’s political agent, to assess the losses incurred by Miramshah's shopowners was taken in a meeting between tribal notables and civil-military leadership.

"Consolidating dividends of peace. Through hardships is road to peace. Hard times are over, good ones in sight. Let’s stay steadfast. Difficulties/comforts both are shared," wrote the DG ISPR on Twitter. "We can do it, we are doing it, we shall IA do it together till final destination of enduring peace in our Pakistan."

The shopowners expressed complete satisfaction on the decision to form the committee and the role of Pakistan Army. Major General Asif Ghafoor added that residents of the tribal areas had joined hands with the forces to make great sacrifices for the establishment of peace, adding that operations conducted by the armed forces had eliminated terrorism. He stressed that he would not let the country's peace be put at stake by enemies of the state.

Tribal notables chanted slogans of 'long live Pakistan Army and Pakistan' at the end of the jirga. A statement issued by the political agent had also confirmed that a jirga had been held to resolve the problems faced by the traders from North Waziristan in Miranshah earlier in the day.

The DG ISPR, GOC North Waziristan and civil leadership, including Fata's additional chief secretary, political agent and assistant political agent, were in attendance. Discussions were held for the monetary compensation of the shopowners in North Waziristan. President of the traders union was also in attendance of the meeting.

On Friday, the traders ended a sit-in in Islamabad after successful conclusion of talks with officials of the political administration. The traders had been staging the sit-in since Monday, however, talks between a delegation sent by them and the political administration succeeded at the National Press Club on Friday. Sources informed the Geo News that the breakthrough occurred during a meeting of traders' representatives with the DG ISPR.