QUETTA: The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Raheel Sharif, has assured the government and people of Balochistan of all support in their quest for durable peace, development and prosperity.

He commended law-enforcement agencies for bringing noticeable improvement to the law and order situation in the province.

The army chief said this during a briefing given to him on overall security and law and order situation in the province during his visit to the headquarters of Southern Command here on Friday. Commander South­ern Com­mand Lt Gen Muhammad Naseer Khan Janjua was present at the briefing.

The forum was apprised that law and order situation in Balochistan had improved and crime rate declined significantly due to successful, across the board and targeted FC and police operations against terrorists, criminals and those involved in sectarian violence.

The COAS said that potential of Balochistan as a regional hub for energy and trade would only be realised with a collective civil-military approach for its security and development.

He welcomed those who had decided to give up violence and were laying down their arms and said it was very encouraging that insurgents were gradually coming back into national mainstream. All support would be rendered to rehabilitate them so that they could lead a peaceful and productive life.

He particularly appreciated the FWO for its untiring efforts in the construction of a road network across the length and breadth of Balochistan against all odds and directed it to ensure quality of construction and timely completion of development projects.

Both civil and military officials, including chief secretary, IGFC of Balochistan and director general Inter-Services Intelligence, were present at the briefing.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2015

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