ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the army is closely following the sectarian and ethnic colour being deliberately given to recent spate of incidents in the country by hostile intelligence agencies/sponsored anti-state elements.
“Having failed to divide us through terrorism, our enemy is now trying to target and fragment us along sectarian/ethnic lines, which merit a unified national response,” the COAS said in a message.
He said that the ongoing malicious campaign of enemies of Pakistan, also unwittingly being spread on social media, was highly regrettable and “we all need to be cognisant of it”. “For us, every Shaheed (martyr)/injured is equal, regardless of sect/ethnicity and indeed is a great loss. We all are Pakistanis and Muslims who fully respect the religious rights of our Pakistani minorities,” COAS said.
According to a statement, the COAS had interacted with religious clergy of all sects over the last few days for their positive involvement in defeating this ongoing sinister campaign. “It is assured that those responsible for Parachinar incidents shall be brought to law and victims will be compensated without any discrimination,” the statement added.
“We have brought security situation in [the] country, including FATA, under control and shall not allow its regression at any cost,” the statement quoted the COAS as saying.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan took serious notice of the social media campaign to fan sectarianism in the country. He directed the cybercrime wing of the FIA to trace the elements behind this malicious campaign and take strict action against them. He said the country was facing multiple challenges at this time and there was dire need of national unity and harmony.
He urged religious leaders of all sects to play their due role for inter-sect harmony and raise their voice against elements promoting sectarianism.
He also contacted the minister for religious affairs and interfaith harmony to prepare a strategy in consultations with religious leaders of all sects.
Separately, on the sacred occasion of Eidul Fitr, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman visited an operational base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and spent Eid day with the PAF personnel. The air chief met the pilots, airmen, technicians and civilians who were performing duties at the base and lauded their exceptional level of motivation and thorough professionalism. While talking to the PAF personnel, the air chief stated that the brave armed forces alongside the nation had restored peace in the country after lots of sacrifices and they would not allow the enemies to spoil it.
While talking about the prevalent security situation of the country, he said that “our neighbours” should stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan and lay more focus on combating terrorism in their own countries. He further said that the sovereignty of Pakistan was accorded the highest priority and the PAF would guard aerial frontiers of Pakistan against any intrusions. “We have shown both capability and resolve to defend the country’s aerial frontiers and sovereignty.”
He further added that Pakistan was a peace-loving nation but if subjected to any kind of misadventure, the adversary would have to face a befitting response.
Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also visited Jinnah Hospital Lahore and met the burn victims of Ahmadpur East incident. He inquired about their well being, showed solidarity with their families and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
While talking with victims and their families, the air chief said that the PAF and the entire nation stood shoulder-to-shoulder by the victims and families of the tragic incident. He also assured them that the PAF would continue to provide assistance to the injured and their families.
Earlier on Monday, on the instructions of the air chief, a Pakistan Air Force special C-130 aircraft along with doctors and paramedical staff airlifted at least 23 burn victims and their attendants to Lahore. Later they were transferred to the burn centre of Jinnah Hospital for better medical care.
Published in Daily Times, June 29th, 2017.
