- Gen Bajwa extends army’s support to all initiatives to ensure GB’s rights as part of federation
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Siachin and laid wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada of Gayari where an avalanche hit a military base, trapping 140 soldiers and civilian contractors under deep snow on April 7, 2012.
Talking to troops at Goma and Gilgit, he said that they all were proud to be soldiers of Pakistan and defending it irrespective of terrain or weather difficulties. “We owe our independence to sacrifices of our martyrs. Nothing is nobler than laying one’s life in defence of the motherland,” he said.
Despite facing internal security challenges, “we are fully prepared for effective response to perpetual threat from the East,” he said. Later, the military chief interacted with notables of Gilgit Baltistan, and assured them that the army was extending full support to all initiatives aimed at ensuring the rights of the region as part of the federation.
Reportedly, the army chief informed the Legislative Assembly members that the army has endorsed the proposed constitutional reforms package being introduced by the government for the empowerment of the region. The lawmakers, who did not want to be named, quoted army chief as saying that the proposals made by Adviser Sartaj Aziz-led committee has been endorsed by the army.
According to them, General Bajwa also lauded the patriotism and devotion of the people with Pakistan, adding that the residents of the area have been very loyal to Pakistan. The army chief also informed the lawmakers that the residents of the area were personally known to him as he had served in the area. He shared measures taken for the security in the region particularly to ensure uninterrupted progress on projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
During the meeting, Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman informed the army chief about the overall law and order situation and development activities in the region. Legislative Assembly Speaker Fida Nashad also highlighted the present state of strategically important Gilgit-Skardu Road which needed to be repaired and widened. The lawmakers also thanked the army chief for his endeavour to root out the menace of terrorism from the country.
Though there are different speculations related to the proposals made so far by the committee, constituted last year by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to introduce the constitutional reforms for the region, the government is yet to share details about the proposals. Nawaz was scheduled to visit Gilgit on February 24 to address the joint session of the assembly and the council but that was postponed for apparently his visit to Turkey.
The lawmakers were expecting the prime minister to make an announcement about the region’s empowerment. The reforms committee draws prime minister’s aide Sartaj Aziz as its chairman, and Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman, the chief secretary, Kashmir Affairs secretary, PM’s special assistant on law and representatives from the military as its members.
Upon arrival at Skardu, the military chief was received by Rawalpindi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Nadeem Raza.