QUETTA: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani Friday said that Pakistan's defence lies in the strong and prosperous Balochistan.
" It is not just coincidence that I'm celebrating the National Defence Day in the Sui town of Balochistan, but it is a matter of importance and honour which the Army keeps for Balochistan," he said during a passing out parade of cadets in the Military College Sui (MCS) here.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, IG FC Major General Ejaz Shahid, Commandant MCS Brigadier Imranul Haq, MPA Sarfarz Bugti, Chief Secretary Balochistan Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad, were prominent among others who attended the ceremony.
General Kayani said that thriving and strong Balochistan would guarantee the prosperity of the country, adding we are assisting the provincial government to achieve the goals of socio-economic development and peace in the province.
He dispelled the impression about the military operation in the province and said there is no single Army personnel involved in any operation in Balochistan.
He noted that Balochistan is rich in natural resources and the only need is to utilize these for the people's welfare. Pakistan Army is fully committed to extend all possible assistance to the provincial government to eradicate poverty and control lawlessness."
Provision of latest trainings and equipments to the Balochistan police is one of the steps taken for strengthening the law enforcement agencies against the menace of terrorism," General Kayani noted.
Expressing his concern over the delay in the Kachi Canal project, he reiterated that he was ready to help provincial government in the early completion of the project, aimed at boosting the agri-sector of the province. Completion of Kachi Canal and Gwadar-Rato Dairo projects were vital for the development of the people of Balochistan," he maintained.
About the uplift projects launched by the Army in Balochistan, Chief of Army Staff said that Army in collaboration with the provincial government was running several projects in education and other sectors including MCS, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Balochistan institute of Technical Education, Gwadar Institute of Technical Education and Balohchistan Institute of Mineralogy.
He noted that under the Army special programme for the youth of the Balochistan as many as 20,000 students were getting education in various educational institutes inside the country and abroad.
He recalled that as part of Army's steps for engaging youth of Balochistan to bring them in the national mainstream, a large number of Baloch youth have been recruited in the Armed forces.
" The ratio of recruitment from Balochistan in Army has been 1.7 in 2007", he said and added that it has been enhanced to 3.5 with the recruitment of some 12,000 jawans and officials in Army since 2010.
Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on the occasion said that though incumbent government was passing through crucial juncture of hour, yet our resolve is high to steer the province out of the crises.
" I appeal to all warring tribes and disgruntled Baloch who left Dera Bugti to set aside their differences and play their role for the development of the province," he emphasised.
Stressing the need for imparting quality education to the youth, Dr Malik said that the only key to success and way out of issues faced by the people of the province was providing them pen instead of weapons.
" MPAs should not support the negligence of doctors and teachers," he urged and emphasised that those not performing well should be dealt strictly.
Expressing his government's resolve, he said that OGDCL and PPL would be made liable to provide jobs to the people of Dera Bugti and Sui. He also urged the MCS administration to ensure 100 percent enrollment of the Sui and Dera Bugti students in their institutes.
He, on the occasion, announced Rs 10 million each for Military College Sui and other educational institutes of the Dera Bugti and Sui. MPA Sarfaz Bugti and other speakers also address the gathering.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff distributed prizes among the students who got distinction.
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