Pakistan will never fight ‘imposed war’ on its soil, PM vows

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PakistanToday
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–Imran Khan says Pakistan paid heavy cost for fighting war in its territory, no other country can match Pakistan’s sacrifices 

–Praises tribal people for ‘courageously facing challenging and difficult times of terrorism’

–Says govt will establish university and cadet college in region and also create jobs for youths 

 

MIRANSHAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that Pakistan has “fought an imposed war inside our country,” and vowed that the country would not fight any such war again on its soil.

“We have fought an imposed war inside our country as our war at a very heavy cost of sweat & blood and loss to our socio-economic fibre,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the premier as saying.

Prime Minister Imran had travelled to Miranshah earlier in the day accompanied by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. This was his first visit to the newly-merged tribal districts of North Waziristan.

Addressing a combined jirga of tribal elders of both North and South Waziristan, the premier said that no other country or their armed forces have done what Pakistan and its armed forces have done in the war against terrorism.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Imran said that Pakistan will play its “role in the Afghan peace process along with other stakeholders as peace in Afghanistan is critical for achieving enduring peace in Pakistan”.

The prime minister also lauded the people of erstwhile FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] for “courageously facing challenging and difficult times of terrorism,” the ISPR said. It added that the premier also hailed the achievements of Pakistan Army, all other security forces and intelligence agencies for their successful operations against terrorists.

“The PM also paid rich tribute to the martyrs and their families who have sacrificed so much for the safety, security and prosperity of the people of Pakistan and the motherland,” the ISPR said.

Announcing various welfare and development projects in the tribal districts, Prime Minister Imran said the government would establish a university and cadet college in the area besides creating job opportunities, including enrollment in the law enforcement agencies.

“A new Pakistan is in the making,” the prime minister concluded.

According to reports, the tribal jirga demanded the government launch a housing scheme in North Waziristan. They also sought funds for the construction of a college in Miranshah, and a university and grid station in North Waziristan.

They also called for more funds for TDPs, and reconstruction of the homes destroyed.

Earlier upon arrival in Miranshah, the ISPR said that PM Imran laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument.

The PM was briefed in detail about the operations conducted, ongoing stability operations, rehabilitation of TDPs, socio-economic development projects and fencing along Pak-Afghan border, the army’s media wing said.

The premier also visited Ghulam Khan Border terminal and witnessed the border fencing.

Seven districts of the erstwhile FATA were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the wake of the 25th Constitutional amendment. This is the head of government’s first visit to the region after its merger with the province.

According to the constitutional amendment, FATA will be granted 16 general seats, four seats for women and one seat for non-Muslims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The elections shall be held within one year after the general elections.

The amendment reduces the number of seats in the National Assembly from 342 to 336. The members of the National Assembly from FATA to be elected in 2018 election shall continue till the dissolution of the Lower House.

 

 

 

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