Gen Raheel says ready to pay any price to turn CPEC into reality

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Thursday vowed to pay any price to turn the long cherished dream of Pak-China Economic Corridor into reality.

“We are aware of all hostility being perpetrated against the upcoming Pak-China Economic Corridor, which promises to transform the lives of people of Pakistan,” he told top military commanders at a meeting.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), media wing of the army, said in a statement that the army chief  chaired a day long Formation Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters where participants were given comprehensive briefing on prevailing internal and external security situation of the country.

“COAS in his address while underscoring multiple and complicated challenges faced by Pakistan, expressed his optimism saying that Pakistani nation has been victim of terrorism for over a decade and sacrificed a lot, but Alhamdolillah, we have turned the tide primarily due to resilience displayed by the whole nation and professionalism of our armed forces,” the ISPR said.

He said the Operation Zarb-e-Azb was successfully transiting into final phases and Pakistan Army will always come up to the expectations of entire Pakistani nation.

“Expressing satisfaction on the pace of return of internally displaced persons, the army chief paid tributes to valiant tribes for their unwavering support in fight against terrorism and emphasized on the quality and speed of rehabilitation and resettlement work in FATA for their dignified and timely return,” the ISPR statement said.