Some people are bent on hurting Pakistan’s integrity: Gen Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, paid glowing tributes to the martyrs whose sacrifices resulted in restoration of peace in the country and also warned those attempting to hurt the integrity of Pakistan.

Addressing an awards distribution ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Thursday, General Bajwa said "it has only been a short period of time that peace has returned to Fata, and some people have already started a movement. There are some people, both on the inside and outside, who are bent upon hurting the integrity of Pakistan," the COAS said. He said terrorists have been thrown out from the country. "We want to tell these people: No matter what you do, you can bring no harm to this country as long as the people of this nation stand behind its armed forces," he said.

He said peace in the country prevails due to the martyrs and war heroes of Pakistan, adding no medal could substitute the sacrifices of the martyrs. "The nations that forget the sacrifices of their martyrs fade out of the history," he said, and also advised the young officers to always remember the brave officers who laid down their lives for the country. "We do not want to forget these martyrs after complete peace is established in our country because they are part of our history," General Bajwa said. "We should never forget the martyrs and their families,” he said.

He expressed his faith that Pakistan is invincible until the time the nation is standing with it. The army chief said he is often asked how Pakistan has managed to wipe out the terrorists from its territory while the latter are wreaking havoc across the world. "I tell them that till the time the Pakistani nation will keep producing mothers, daughters and wives who make sacrifices for this country, we will remain successful in our war against terrorism," he said. "I salute these mothers, daughters, wives, and parents of the martyrs," General Bajwa said.

On the occasion, Sitara-e-Imtiaz was conferred on 32 military officers, while four officers and soldiers were awarded the UN Medal. Two officers were awarded Tamgha-e-Jurat and 33 officers and soldiers were given the Tamgha-e-Basalat. The army chief saluted widows, mothers, fathers and other relatives of martyrs when they approached him one by one to receive the awards.

Meanwhile, General Bajwa interacted with the notables of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including senators, MNAs, businessmen, lawyers, academia and others. The COAS shared his candid thoughts about the security environment, achievements in the war against terrorism, challenges and the way forward, the ISPR said.

“Lately, we, as a nation, have successfully passed through some very difficult times of fighting extremism and terrorism but still much is left to be done,” the COAS said. He hailed the courage and resilience of the people of Pakistan, especially of Fata and the KP, being major victim of terrorism, and said the Army fully supports socio-economic development in the affected areas. He said this is the time to keep moving forward with unity, towards enduring peace and stability.

Talking about the issues related to check posts and the unexploded ordnance etc, the COAS said measures to facilitate general public at the check posts without compromising security and clearance of unexploded ordnance are already in process. “No one is more interested than the security forces to have such peace and stability environment which allows their complete de-induction,” he said. However, the army chief said, threat is still residing across the border and some disorganised residual potential including the ones who have morphed into the Afghan refugees. “Therefore, we still need to move with caution,” he said.

General Bajwa said notwithstanding the genuine problems of the peaceful citizens, our concern is that no anti-state agenda in the garb of engineered protests etc, aimed at reversing the gains achieved at heavy cost in blood and national exchequer, succeeds. He said the security of innocent citizens and defence of the motherland comes first and foremost. He reiterated that the long-term dividend of peace is linked to the earliest mainstreaming of Fata.

Audiences also interacted with the COAS and expressed their views candidly. They acknowledged contributions and sacrifices of security forces and desired that Pakistan continues to progress on the positive trajectory of peace and prosperity. The COAS concluded to assure the notables that the Pakistan Army as part of state is determined to root out extremism and terrorism on the premise that prerogative of use of force rests with state alone. “Our vision is peaceful Pakistan and peaceful region and our efforts are geared towards that end,” he said. The Commander Peshawar Corps and field commanders were also present on the occasion.