Gen Bajwa says nation 'should not forget' military’s sacrifices in Fata
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Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday complained that Pakistanis had a "history of forgetting its [the nation's] heroes” while remarking that “just days after peace returned to Fata, people have started another movement.”
He made the remarks during a solemn ceremony held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi where he conferred awards on martyred military personnel for acts of gallantry during military operations.
“They [our martyrs] who sacrificed their lives for the country are our real heroes,” Gen Bajwa said towards the end of the ceremony, adding that as a nation "we should always remember their sacrifices".
A large number of military officials and the heirs of martyred personnel were in attendance.
During the ceremony, 32 officers were awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Distinction), two officers were awarded the Tamgha-i-Jurat (Medal of Courage), 33 officers and soldiers were awarded the Tamgha-i-Basalat (Medal of Good Conduct), and four officers and soldiers were awarded a United Nations Medal.
The medals of martyred military personnel were received by their family members.
A day earlier, during a Corps Commanders' Conference, Gen Bajwa had stressed that for the peace and prosperity of Fata, it is imperative that the region is "mainstreamed" and merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa according to the wishes of its people.
The army chief's statements come in the wake of a major rally staged by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) on Sunday. One of PTM's demands is the restoration of routine life in Fata, which has been at the forefront of Pakistan's fight against terrorism.
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Comments (33) Closed
Apr 12, 2018 07:57pm
It's incomprehensible how Gen Bajwa is ignoring all other national issues Pakistan is facing including corruption, energy crisis, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, bad economy, inflation, poor health facilities, no clean drinking water and the ongoing socio-political crisis. At least he should have emphasized that Army supports judiciary and will stand by it if needed.
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Apr 12, 2018 08:00pm
Salute to the soldiers who served in FATA in tough weathers, who caught the criminals and made the criminals feel that there is a force which fights for Pakistan and most importantly who gave their lives for the country. However, some of the high-ups in Army need to answer for their decisions just like the politicians of our motherland.
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Apr 12, 2018 08:15pm
While we should not forget about the military's sacrifices ever, due credit must also be given to the civilians who suffer owing to any conflict. They are the worst sufferers and they are hardly ever compensated for their losses. Perhaps it is time we started looking into the grievances of the civilians too and try to remedy the situation to make life easier for the survivors.
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Apr 12, 2018 08:33pm
What about the collateral damage?
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Apr 12, 2018 08:51pm
selfless army needs to be appreciated
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Apr 12, 2018 09:40pm
@SkyHawk -"how Gen Bajwa is ignoring all other national issues Pakistan is facing "
Without support from all sectors (including civil government ) we can not improve Pakistan situation. "It is a team work" and Gen Bajwa is mainly concerned will all situations which overtly and covertly affect our security, which is extremely important for survival . This man can not generate employment for millions of people alone.
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Apr 12, 2018 10:00pm
I think a saner citizen of this dear country will never forget sacrifices of the martyred personnel and share their sympathies with the bereaved families. We salute them for their unmatchable sacrifices in the war on terror. It would be advisable for Mr. Bajwa to engage the PTM leaders in negotiations and address their concerns. They are our brothers and they may have some, if not all, genuine problems which can be addressed easily and without any precondition. Mr. Bajwa should not keep distance from them and immediately open dialogue with them so that the country may not experience another unrest or discontent.
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Apr 12, 2018 10:04pm
Salute to our armed forces for restoring peace in the country
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Apr 12, 2018 10:05pm
We will never forget our martyrs .Nation remains indebted to their families
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Apr 12, 2018 10:08pm
People of FATA owe this peace to the blood of our martyrs
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Apr 12, 2018 10:10pm
Sir not only FATA ,peace in Pakistan is courtesy our brave soldiers .
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Apr 12, 2018 10:12pm
Blood of martyrs shall not only be remembered but will also be avenged INSHALLAH
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Apr 12, 2018 10:24pm
@Afridi , nicely explained
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Apr 12, 2018 10:35pm
@SHAHID SATTAR Very well said. Civilians have faced hard ship at the hands of terrorists for too long. Civilians also contributed to the Military operation in their own way.
There amalgamation into into KPK will be of tremendous benefit besides the recognition of their sacrifices.
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Apr 12, 2018 10:44pm
Pakistan Army Zindabad
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Apr 12, 2018 10:53pm
I agree with fully, pakistan must not forget the sacrifices made by them
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Apr 12, 2018 10:55pm
Army should be given more credit for saving Pakistan from the chaos and suffering
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Apr 12, 2018 10:57pm
@Afridi : did you ever hear any other department head getting a land worth billions as retirement perk. Any other govt servant getting plots in DHA, not only one rather three?? Any organisation having quota in schools, concession at Railway n PIA n subsidized grocery? Then no audits even after eating nearly a third of country's budget. Still complaining that due to 18th amendment, Federal govt didn't have capacity to pay more. List is long Sir, just open your eyes.
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Apr 12, 2018 11:08pm
@Arif You absolutely right
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Apr 12, 2018 11:14pm
What about thousands of civilians who lost their lives ? What about drone attack victims ?
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Apr 13, 2018 12:13am
Gen Bajwa truly a professional soldier. Salute!
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Apr 13, 2018 12:15am
Sad but true.
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Apr 13, 2018 12:41am
@SkyHawk The issues that u r pointing are elected government's responsibility not the Army.
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Apr 13, 2018 12:44am
@SkyHawk, Whatever politicians have done to the country is because of people like you have voted them and still don't wan honest people to run the country. Military can not interfere in politics.
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Apr 13, 2018 01:25am
Presently General Bajwa is the last hope of frustrated and exhausted nation.
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Apr 13, 2018 01:27am
@SkyHawk these issues have been handed over to the chief justice.
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Apr 13, 2018 02:44am
We should be thankful to them for bringing peace.
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Apr 13, 2018 02:48am
Comments against PTM are a major mistake. Even pro-establishment Imran Khan says he is in support of PTM.
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Apr 13, 2018 02:49am
Thank for the recognition of sacrifices and the whole nation agrees that militancy and extremism must be controlled.
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Apr 13, 2018 02:58am
Army has done a great job in cleaning up FATA and it is time now to honor the demands of PTM to ensure that the Pakhtuns have same citizenship rights as the rest of us.
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Apr 13, 2018 03:38am
Long live Pak Army.
We will never forget the sacrifices made by our Army jawans to keep us all safe.
A BIG Thank You and salute.
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Apr 13, 2018 08:51am
@SHAHID SATTAR What is their sacrifice, just name any one, did Maulana or Achakzai and Asfandyar go to any bomb place to see Shuhadahs, now they came out of bells to claim credit and fighting for the rights of FATA? Or your mehboob PM Nawaz Sharif who didn't even visit Army Public School Peshawar, they all are looking for funds, nothing else.
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Apr 13, 2018 08:53am
Only Army and Army, has developed FATA with the bloods of jawaans.
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