Unilateral actions are counter-productive, says army chief

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said unilateral actions, such as drone strikes, are counter-productive and against the spirit of cooperation and intelligence sharing, said a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). 

“Pakistan Army is capable of taking effective measures if actionable intelligence is shared,” said the statement from the military’s media wing.

Gen Bajwa further said that focus is now towards transforming operational achievements in Fata into enduring peace and stability.

The army chief elaborated that in order to achieve stability and enduring peace in the tribal areas, the region needs to be mainstreamed through reforms and the “Pakistan Army fully supports all efforts towards that end”. 

“Our brave tribal brothers, through their support, cooperation and resolve have enabled the security forces to succeed during the operations and now it is time to live a fearless and quality social life as citizens of Pakistan,” said Bajwa.

Gen Bajwa added that the army would continue to consolidate gains achieved through various security operations.

The statement added that the army stands with all other institutions of Pakistan to rid it of all menaces which are “retarding its progress and prosperity”.  

Referring to Afghanistan, the ISPR quoted the army chief as saying that Afghanistan is our brotherly neighbour and a common enemy exists in both the countries. 

The army chief was on a visit of Peshawar Corps Headquarters and was briefed on the situation along the Pak-Afghan border, operations in progress and future operations and measures taken for border management.