*ISLAMABAD:* Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the UK Army Gen Sir NicholasPatrick Carter Friday acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism andrecent Pak-Afghan border fencing for improved border control, a pressrelease from the Inter-Services Public Relations stated.
“The visiting dignitary also hailed Paigham-e-Pakistan fatwa which shallhave far reaching effects against extremist narrative,” read the ISPRstatement.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa highlighted the need for collectiveaction within a collaborative framework to help encourage peace andstability in the region.
The UK army general is in Pakistan on a two-day visit. On the first day ofhis visit, he met the COAS and discussed bilateral issues as well as thesecurity situation of the region. Later, he, along with Gen Bajwa, visitedBalochistan’s Girdi Jungle and Brabchah areas.
Girdi Jungle, a small village before 1979, has swelled into a town ofaround 60,000 inhabitants, a majority of whom are Afghan refugees. Over theyears, the town had turned into a hub of criminal activity, the ISPR said,adding the area is now free of criminal influence.
During their visit, the two generals were also given a detailed briefing onthe security operations carried out in support of the ‘Khushal Balochistan’program. The visitors also flew over the border town of Brabchah and werebriefed on the peculiar environment of the area and steps taken to securethe Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan.
They lauded professionalism and dedication with which the sanitisationoperation had been conducted in Girdi Jungle.
During the visit, bilateral issues and regional security situation werealso discussed between the two military leaders. The dignified and orderedresettlement of Afghan refugees and measures to spread dividends of peacein larger region also came under discussion during the visit.
The British high commissioner, defence attaché in Pakistan and Pakistan’scommander southern command were also present on the occasion.