QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif stressing the need for sustainable development of Balochistan said that the Pakistan Army was committed to play its role in socio-economic uplift of Balochistan.
"As many as 20,000 youth from Balochistan have been recruited in Pakistan Army since 2010 that shows the utmost dedication of Armed forces for the rising of geographically largest province of the country," he said during a passing out parade of Baloch recruits held here on Thursday in the EME center Quetta.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua, members of provincial cabinet, Chief Secretary Balochistan Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad were also present.
The COAS stressed that development and prosperity of Balochistan will contribute towards a peaceful and progressive Pakistan, adding Army would continue to play its part in the uplift of the province." My visit to Balochistan soon after taking over the command of Pak Army reflects my affection to the province and its people," he maintained.
He noted that Army in view of getting more recruitment from the province of Balochistan relaxed its rules and encouraged aspiring youth to become part of armed forces and play their role for the prosperity of the country.
Gen Sharif expressed his high hopes that the new recruits will play their part in safeguarding national interests and peace in Balochistan.
Referring the Army's role in dealing with calamity along with the provincial government, he said that Army troops always remained with the affected people whether it was flood, earthquake or other catastrophe in Balochistan.
"It was Army that quickly responded and rescued the quake battered people of Awaran," General Sharif said adding such efforts would continue till the rehabilitation of the victims.
He also lauded the closed coordination of the Army and provincial government for the peaceful conduct of Local Government polls in Balochistan.
The Chief Minister Balochistan, on the occasion commended the role of Army in uplift of Balochistan.
He urged the COAS to further increase the recruitment quota of Balochistan youth in Pak forces.
He said that the incumbent government was facing multiple challenges and striving hard to bring reforms in the health and education sector.
For restoration of durable peace and prosperity in Balochistan, efforts were afoot to bring Baloch on the negotiation table and find an amicable solution to the issue of Balochistan.
Some 1,800 recruits have been inducted in the Baloch regiment after the completion of training.
Earlier, COAS General Sharif and CM Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch gave away cane of honours to cadets for showing distinction during the training.
COAS wants sustainable socio-economic development in Balochistan
