*Army chief says 1,000 youths will be immediately inducted in the coming six months while 13,000 others will be inducted over five years
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif announced FATA Youth Package to harness the potential of the youth of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) as he spent the first day of Eidul Azha with the troops participating in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Corps Commander Lieutenant General Hidayatur Rehman received the army chief at Wana, South Waziristan. After offering Eid prayers with the troops at Wana, the army chief flew to Miranshah to meet the troops in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).
Reviewing the progress of the military offensive in NWA, the COAS expressed complete satisfaction over the achievements made so far, stated a press release.
Interacting with the troops, the general lauded their spirit and commitment while tribute to the martyrs and wounded for their sacrifice for the country’s defence.
“With the level of determination shown by the Army and the people of Pakistan, there is no doubt that we will root out the cancer of terrorism from our country forever,” he said.
Later, while visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp at Bannu, the Army chief acknowledged the sacrifices of the people of FATA and praised their devotion and loyalty to Pakistan.
“Pakistan Army will work hand to garner maximum support for relief and early rehabilitation of the IDPs,” the COAS said.
FATA YOUTH PACKAGE:
Realising the need to bring the youth of FATA at par with the country’s youth and to optimise their potential, the COAS announced a comprehensive FATA Youth Package.
Elucidating the features of package, the Army chief said that 14,000 men from FATA will be inducted in the Army over the next five years whereas 1,000 youth will be immediately inducted in the upcoming six months.
The package also entails free education facilities for 1,500 children from FATA in Army public schools and colleges in all cantonment areas.
Seats have also been reserved on yearly basis in military cadet colleges for students from FATA.
To enhance the technical skills of the youth of FATA, especially the IDPs, they will be trained at Army-run technical training institutes in all major cantonments.
The COAS said that arrangements are being made for large scale overseas employment of youth hailing from FATA.
He expressed the hope that development and prosperity of FATA will open avenues for the tribesmen and contribute towards a peaceful and progressive Pakistan.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Hidayat ur Rehman, Commander 11 Corps, at Wana, Waziristan.