Pak Army to focus on efficient border management in FATA: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said that the army will now focus its efforts on more efficient border management in FATA to prevent cross border movement of terrorists.

The army chief said this during a visit to forward locations in North and South Waziristan today where he spent the day with tribal people and army officials.

COAS Sharif inspected rehabilitation work carried out for the internally displaced people who had returned to their war ravaged villages, the ISPR said.

Chief of Army Staff acknowledged the tribal’s’ sacrifices and assured them that terrorists would never be allowed to return. “Army would not go back till the job is fully done,” he maintained.

The Army Chief assured that work on the return and resettlement of temporarily displaced people will continue and be completed by the end of 2016.

"As return of TDPs and their resettlement works continue so as to complete by end year 2016, our focus within FATA will now be on more efficient border management to prevent cross border movement. For enduring stability, IBOs and combing operations will continue with same vigor across the country,” he was quoted as saying.

The army chief reiterated that operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched against terrorists of all hues and colour and that the sanctuaries of terrorists have been dismantled without discrimination.

He said that operation Zarb-e-Azb was in its final stage in the fewer left out pockets.  "Pakistan Army with support of the entire nation has achieved unparalleled successes in fight against terrorism,” he said.

He also inaugurated multiple projects as part of the post operation comprehensive rehabilitation plan for FATA.

COAS inaugurated the 72 km long Miranshah-Razmak-Makeen dual carriage road as part of the 705km  central trade corridor.

The newly constructed road by FWO will considerably reduce traveling time between North and South Wazirstan, said the ISPR.

The army chief also commissioned state of the art 100 bedded Sheikha Fatima Binte Mubarak hospital at Sholam in South Waziristan agency.

"Development of Fata is a priority task being undertaken by the army as a comprehensive plan. These projects will improve the quality of life in tribal areas, usher a new era of economic prosperity and address the problem of militancy on a long term basis,” he said.

Pakistan Army has undertaken 567 projects so far in the social sector, communication infrastructure and power sector in Waziristan, said the ISPR statement.