Pakistan heading towards a normalised state, says army chief

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said Pakistan is heading towards a state where the writ of state and supremacy of law would be “second to none”, said a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“With the full backing of the nation, we are heading towards a normalised Pakistan where writ of state and supremacy of law would be second to none and where every Pakistani, whether in cities, tribal or far flung areas will be able to play their positive and rightful part in Pakistan's progress,” the ISPR quoted the army chief as saying. 

General Bajwa was visiting the forward areas in Khyber agency’s Rajgal valley, where the armed forces are conducting Operation Khyber-4 to clear the strategic valley from militant elements.

The army chief was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing operation and was told that the Army has cleared 90 percent of the objective area.

He also appreciated the professionalism of the Army and Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which was responsible for pin-point targeting of militant hideouts and strongholds, leading to fewer casualties in the ground forces. 

“On completion of this operation Khyber Agency would be free of terrorists' influence thereby providing environment for return of TDPs and development prong to proceed,” said ISPR.

Earlier, Commander Peshawar Corps Lieutenant General Nazir Ahmed Butt and IGFC KP North Major General Shaheen Mazhar Mehmood, Commander Khyber-4 operation received the COAS on arrival in operational area.