Involvement of Afghans in terrorism detrimental to regional peace: COAS

PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has reiterated that terrorism has no place in Pakistan and the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in Pakistan is detrimental to regional peace, stability and deviation from the Doha Peace Agreement by the interim Afghan government.

The Army Chief expressed these views during an interactive session of the tribal elders from tribal Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as notables from all walks of life in his visit to Peshawar today.

The army chief said Pakistan has concerns over sanctuaries available to banned outfits and liberty of action they enjoy on Afghan soil. Pakistan will spare no effort to dismantle terrorist networks and protect its citizens at all costs.

He paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of brave and resilient tribals of Pakistan and appreciated their indomitable resolve for standing shoulder to shoulder with the Security Forces in defeating menace of terrorism.

General Asim Munir remarked that with the unflinching resolve of the nation, Pakistan is successfully countering terrorism to enable a stable and peaceful environment for socioeconomic development in the area.

During the interactive session, tribal elders assured that TTP and its ideology will never be acceptable to any tribe and they will continue to stand with the state during the thick and thin.

The Army Chief emphasized the potential of newly Merged Districts and ongoing efforts in uplifting the socio-economic growth under the umbrella of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

 He also expressed his views that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is blessed with huge reserves of mines and minerals, also beautiful areas for tourism, which will certainly change the destiny of the area for the good of the people. He said Pak Army stands with our tribal brothers and will never leave them alone as over the years they have given innumerable sacrifices for the peace and prosperity of the motherland. He further said that it is time to develop all tribal areas and concentrate on youth.

General Asim Munir reiterated the resolve of Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and other law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism till elimination of this menace from the country. He showed resolve to finish peril of Narco which is becoming lifeline for these TTP khawaraj.

He said the surge in terrorism in recent past is a futile effort on the part of terrorists to get the talks re-initiated, however, there is no option for these terrorists except to submit to the writ of state of Pakistan before they are decimated, if they persist on their wrong path. The army chief reiterated that propaganda by inimical forces against Armed Forces of Pakistan, will be dealt as per the law.

Paying tribute to brave tribesmen, officers and soldiers of Pak Army, FC, Levies, Khasadars and Police, he vowed that sacrifices of Shuhada will not go in vain and complete peace will return to Pakistan.

Earlier upon his arrival in Peshawar, the Chief of  Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir was received by Commander Peshawar Corps, Lt. Gen. Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat.