ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Monday that not even single Army unit was conducting any operation in Balochistan. He also expressed his intent to pull out the troops presently stationed at Sui soon, after the responsibilities there are taken over by Frontier Corps Balochistan. He said this while visiting to Gwadar and Sui in Balochistan said a ISPR press release received here.The COAS inaugurated Institute of Technology, established by Army with the investment of Balochistan Government, to provide technical education to the local youth.In his address the COAS highlighted various projects initiated by Pakistan Army for socio-economic uplift for the people of Balochistan.He also promised for establishing Balochistan Institute of Mineralogy, at Quetta in near future.The purpose of establishing these institutes was to create a workforce that can exploit local resources for the benefit of commonman.
Chief Minister of Balochistan, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Khan Raisani inaugurated Technical Training Centre at the occasion.In his speech, the Chief Minister appreciated efforts by the Army for development of the Province.Later the COAS visited Military College Sui, Balochistan and attended opening ceremony of its first entry.The college was inaugurated on January 3 2011 to provide quality education particularly to the students of Dera Bugti District and Balochistan.The COAS appreciated establishment of the college in a record period and hoped that the college will soon join the ranks of top educational institutions of the Country.Speaking to the elders and public representatives, at both places, he underscored the significance of National harmony for strong defence of the Country.Elaborating the concept of comprehensive security, he emphasized the vital requirement of unified national support to the armed forces, without which no force can fulfill the mission of defending a state/nation.He said that people’s support was real strength of the Army.Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Commander Southern Command, Lieutenant General Javed Zia. – APP
