ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday pledged that Pakistan will not fight again any imposed war inside its territory, adding that no other country or their armed forces have done what Pakistan and its armed forces achieved in the war against terrorism.
He travelled to Miranshah earlier in the day accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, governor and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and key federal and provincial ministers.
This was his first visit to the newly-merged tribal district of North Waziristan, where he announced a number of economic and social projects for the people of erstwhile Fata.
Addressing a combined Jirga of elders from North and South Waziristan districts in Miranshah during his day-long visit, Prime Minister Khan said Pakistan has fought an imposed war inside its territory at a very heavy cost of sweat and blood and loss to socio-economic fiber.
“We shall not fight any such war again inside Pakistan,” said the PM, in reference to the US-led war on terrorism which he has repeatedly said “is not our war”.
According to the military’s media wing, the prime minister also hailed achievements of Pakistan Army, all other security forces and intelligence agencies for their successful operations against terrorists.
“No other country or their armed forces have done what Pakistan and its armed forces achieved in war against terrorism”, he was quoted as saying by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The recent leveling of allegations by US President Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News and his tweets the next day further disillusioned Pakistan with the PM saying that “now we will do what is best for our people, our interests”.
In his address to the jirga, Premier Khan said that Pakistan is for peace beyond borders, including in Afghanistan, and it would play its role in Afghan peace process along with other stakeholders. He said peace in Afghanistan is critical for achieving enduring peace in Pakistan.
He paid rich tribute to the martyrs and their families who have sacrificed for the safety, security and prosperity of the people of Pakistan and the motherland. He also greatly appreciated the people of erstwhile Fata and KP who had gone through a very challenging and difficult time of facing terrorism.
Pakistan armed forces had launched a massive operation in North Waziristan in June 2014 to purge the tough terrain of local and foreign terrorists. The command and control centre of terrorists was destroyed during Zarb-e-Azb operation, which was later extended to hunt down financers and sympathisers of the militants in the urban centres of the country.
Hundreds of terrorists were killed while the remaining slipped across the porous border into Afghanistan. The successful operation resulted in a marked decrease in terrorist violence in the country.
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced various welfare packages in the fields of health, education, employment and administration for the newly established districts of erstwhile Fata.
He announced 3 percent of NFC share by all provinces for merged districts, early conduct of local bodies’ election and election on provincial seats to ensure transfer of power to grassroots level.
The prime minster also announced police reforms and resolved to address all concerns of Levies and Khasadars by ensuring their jobs security.
Also, he announced system of Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) to ensure speedy justice and resolution of all issues through consultation.
The premier announced a medical college along with a hospital for North Waziristan District and South Waziristan District, a university for North Waziristan, Army Cadet College for North Waziristan, issuance of health insurance cards to residents of merged districts and introduction of tele-medics system to fulfil deficiencies of specialist doctors.
He also announced mega share from jobs for merged districts as offered by Qatar, enrolment of youth in police and Frontier Corps, special quota for under developed regions, restoration of cellular service in North and South Waziristan districts and loan for house building/
The prime minister also promised to make earnest efforts to address issue of loadshedding, setting up of a Nadra facilitation centre to ensure speedy CNIC process and solar panels for mosques.
Moreover, he announced provision of interest-free loans, provision of computers and development of sports grounds. “A new Pakistan is in the making”, the prime minister concluded.
Upon his arrival to Miranshah earlier in the day, the prime minister had been briefed on the security situation, ongoing stability operations, socio-economic projects, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and fencing along the Pak-Afghan border. Later, he laid a floral wreath at the ‘Martyrs’ Monument’.
The premier also visited the terminal at Ghulam Khan border crossing, where he also witnessed the border fencing.
Won’t fight any imposed war again: PM