MINGORA: The people, security forces and police of Swat have rendered great sacrifices in fight against militancy and for restoration of peace, said Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, adding that the establishment of a cantonment in the scenic valley would play a vital role in ensuring a durable peace.

The COAS said this while addressing elders of the area during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Swat cantonment at Kanju, Kabal tehsil, on Friday. The army chief also inaugurated the newly-constructed emergency unit at Saidu Teaching Hospital and Army Public School in Swat.

UAE Ambassador Essa Abdulla Albasha al Noaimi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman, UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UPAP) Director Abdullah Al Ghefeli, high-ranking military officers, elected representatives and elders of the area were also present on the occasion.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations statement, Gen Raheel Sharif visited Mingora, Kanju and Khwazakhela. The cantonment was approved on September 8, 2015, on popular demand by the people of Swat in view of the much-needed long-term security for the region, the statement added.

Speaking on the occasion, the COAS expressed his gratitude to the people of Swat for their valiant stand against the reign of terror and standing alongside security forces to throw militants out of the valley.

Congratulating the people of Swat on this historic day, Gen Raheel reaffirmed the army’s commitment to continuing playing a solid role in bringing about an enduring peace and security to the region.

“Establishment of the cantonment in Swat will act as a deterrent for terrorists, boost confidence of all law enforcement agencies and help bring a permanent sense of security with readily available force to counter any threat to peace in the area,” he said, adding the cantonment would also contribute to socio-economic development of the area.

The COAS said that development of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Malakand was a priority task being executed as a well-considered strategy.

“The Pakistan Army has undertaken over 700 mega and minor projects so far in the social sector in areas where operations were carried out,” he said.

“These projects are aimed to improve the quality of life of locals and address the problem of militancy on a long-term basis. The whole world acknowledges the Pakistan Army for uniquely completing an entire cycle of fighting terrorism from operations to reconstruction and resettling the displaced persons back in the area,” he added.

He said the Army Public School, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and other developmental projects would be initiated with the cantonment for public services and benefits.

Published in Dawn November 12th, 2016