Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during his visit to Quetta Garrison, emphasised that peace, security, prosperity and well-being of the people of Balochistan remain central to the state’s efforts. He also stressed the need for greater coordination among law enforcement agencies and other state institutions to consolidate peace and create an environment conducive to economic activity and development.
There is little doubt that hostile forces are seeking to destabilise the province through their proxies and disrupt projects that can strengthen Pakistan’s economic and strategic position. Remarks of the CDF convey a categorical message that they will never be allowed to succeed in their designs. The response of security forces in recent days shows that state is fully alive to the threat. In a series of high-tempo operations across Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi, 48 terrorists were killed. Such operations demonstrate that terrorists cannot operate with impunity and that state has both the capacity and determination to confront them. There is also growing clarity that these elements deserve no concession. They must be dealt firmly and their networks dismantled. The objective should not merely be to respond to attacks after they occur, but to develop intelligence and operational capacity needed to prevent them in the first place. Those providing shelter, financing, weapons or other assistance to terrorists must also be pursued. This is where better coordination among state institutions becomes critical. The army, police, Levies, intelligence agencies and civilian administration must work closely together, with timely sharing of information and coordinated action. Terrorists often take advantage of gaps between institutions, denying them such opportunities should therefore be a priority. This is why the FM stressed the need for greater coordination. A united response will make it increasingly difficult for hostile forces to establish or maintain presence in the province.
But peace will have greater meaning when it is accompanied by visible improvements in lives of ordinary people. Government must therefore give more attention to development, particularly to province’s young population. Better schools, technical and vocational training and skills-development programmes can give local youth greater access to employment and entrepreneurship. Development projects should also create meaningful opportunities for local people and ensure that they become direct beneficiaries of province’s economic potential. The province needs both security and opportunity, as a secure environment will encourage investment and development, while development and greater economic opportunities can help strengthen social stability. The two must therefore move together. We have no doubt that under current military leadership Balochistan will soon be purged of terrorist elements and enemy proxies and again emerging as a peaceful and economically strong region.
