RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif visited Turbat, Talar and Gawadar on Friday and reviewed progress of projects being constructed by Army Engineers as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In a press release, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the COAS was briefed in detail about the law and order situation in Balochistan particularly in Makran division and progress on the ongoing development projects.
The COAS was told that overall security situation in Makran division had improved, and graph of militancy had declined considerably. He paid rich tributes to Shuhada of Army, other Law enforcement agencies and civilians who laid down their lives for security and development of the area.
The COAS expressed his satisfaction over steps being taken for restoration of peace in Makran Division and directed all concerned to take stringent security measures for the security of engineers and labourers, particularly for Chinese nationals working on Gwadar Port and other projects.
While highlighting the importance of under construction projects linked with the CPEC and Gawadar Port, the army chief said that all possible measures in coordination with civil government would be taken to make Gwadar a safe city for local and foreign investors. He said that these projects will transform the lives of people of Pakistan particularly Balochistan and bring prosperity to the region.
The COAS appreciated army troops engaged in various development works particularly Frontier Works Organization (FWO) for their untiring efforts and sacrifices in construction of a vast road network across the length and breadth of Balochistan, against all odds, at an amazing pace.
Interacting with local elders, the COAS also paid rich tributes to the proud and valiant people of Balochistan and thanked them for their unconditional cooperation and support for development projects, assuring them that they will be best served by these projects. The COAS emphasized that the potential of Balochistan as a regional hub for trade in goods and energy will only be realized with a whole of nation approach for its security and development.
Commending Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for extra ordinary efforts for security, the army chief said that the completion of these projects is directly linked with law and order situation of the province and vowed that the armed forces will take all necessary actions to help bring back normalcy.
