COAS powers up tribesmen, promises peace

• Army chief opens Cadet College in Wana, 132 KV Grid Station, 54 km transmission line, 62 km Tank-DI Khan Road
• Says Operation Zarb-e-Azb in final stages, urges tribesmen to cooperate for restoration of peace, rehabilitation in FATA

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif visited South Waziristan Agency (SWA) on Wednesday and inaugurated several development projects as a part of post-operation comprehensive rehabilitation plan for Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj Gen Asim Bajwa said that Gen Sharif opened a UAE-funded state-of-art Cadet College in Wana for 500 children which will be compatible with the best cadet colleges of Pakistan.

“The new school will go lengths in propelling local youth to professional colleges,” he said.

The army chief inaugurated 132 KV Grid Station and 54 KM Transmission Line Wana for locals, Bajwa said, adding that it was their long standing demand.

While speaking at the occasion to a large gathering of tribal people, the COAS said these development projects would improve quality of life of common people, create job opportunities and usher this area into economic prosperity, which is the main objective.

Gen Sharif also inaugurated 62 kilometers DIK-Tank Road, which was part of 705 km long Central Trade Corridor linking Afghanistan and that it would reduce travel time substantially. He assured that rehabilitation plan will be fully executed and that temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) will return as planned to better and much developed region.

He said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is in final stage and with nation’s support, army successfully evicted terrorists. He appreciated the sacrifices of tribal brothers and said that terrorists will never be allowed to return and army won’t go back till job is fully done.

The army chief urged tribesmen to continue supporting security and rehabilitation operations to achieve enduring peace and prosperity in these areas. According to Bajwa, tribesmen thanked the COAS for fulfilling promises.