Army chief affirms commitment to democracy

QUETTA: Affirming army’s commitment to serving Pakistan, Army chief  General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that he believes in democracy, democratic values of selfless service and supremacy of moral authority.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Human Resource Development for Youth of Balochistan – Opportunities and Challenges” in Quetta, he said, “Army is a state institution meant to serve the nation…it shall continue to perform its role while national security and development remain a national obligation for all state institutions.”

The seminar that was held in Quetta on Thursday was attended by a large number of people, including renowned speakers from academia, civil society, media and politicians, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

“Tomorrow’s Balochistan will be heart of national dev engine and an invaluable link from North to South and also to the West” COAS. (2of2). pic.twitter.com/LbtcFAM8Xw

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) December 7, 2017

Showing satisfaction over country’s capabilities, the army chief said despite having enough resources, there was a need to improve the human resource. The civil service needs to be made attractive so that the top talent comes to civil service, he said, adding that it was the backbone of any country

In his address, COAS Bajwa said over 25,000 students from Balochistan are receiving education at the army and paramilitary-run schools all over the country. He further said at least 20,000 sons of Balochistan are serving in the Pakistan Army, including over 600 as officers while 232 cadets are undergoing training at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.

Besides this, a large number of Balochistan’s people were part of Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy and other law enforcement agencies, the army chief said, adding that “our future is bright and our youth is fully capable of taking on the mantle.”

Along with the announcement of an MRI centre in Turbat, Gen Bajwa directed expediting the establishment of already announced educational institutions.

“Tomorrow’s Balochistan will be an engine of national development effort and invaluable link from north to south and also to the west,” COAS concluded.