RAWALPINDI – Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited borderareas of Waziristan today and addressed combined Jirga of elders fromNorth and South Waziristan at Wana during his visit to South Waziristan.
COAS General Bajwa was briefed about stabilisation operations and progressof fencing along Pak-Afghan border in Waziristan at Angoor Adda. Heappreciated quality and speed of work, said Inter Services Public Relationsin a statement.
Gen. Bajwa thanked local tribal elders for their support and cooperationfor the security forces.
He said, “Peace has largely returned, however, few IED incidents haverecently taken place in North Waziristan. No conflict ends through kineticoperations alone. There is always a post operations rehabilitation anddevelopment effort.”
The Army Chief said that while stability operations continue alongsideborder fencing, progress on socio-economic prong is also gaining momentum.The same shall get more attention through implementation of merger measures.
The COAS asked all concerned especially the local population to remainvigilant as main stakeholder to retain the attained peace and stability inthe area by safeguarding the environment from inimical forces who areeyeing to reverse the gains.
He said that the suggestions offered by tribal elders are valid and most ofthese are already included in the mid to long term development plan of thegovernment.
The tribal elders thanked COAS for restoration of peace in the area, mergerof FATA into KP and ongoing efforts for socio-economic development in thearea. They also assured COAS for their unflinching support to securityforces and the State.
They highlighted requirement for additional communication infrastructure,electricity, water, educational institutions and upgraded cellular networkfacilities.