Pakistan

2016 to see end of terrorism: Army chief

General Raheel visits Talar, Turbat and Gwadar

News Desk January 01, 2016

Army chief General Raheel Sharif visits Talar, Turbat and Gwadar. PHOTO: ISPR

KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday said 2016 will be the year of unity and eliminating terror from the country.

“With the support of the nation, we will root out terrorism, crime and corruption and will make peace and justice prevalent in the country,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the army chief as saying.

Army chief approves death sentence for nine terrorists

General Raheel visited Talar and Turbat districts of Balochistan province before arriving at Gwadar where he held discussions with Baloch elders.

The army chief’s statement comes just hours after the military’s media wing, ISPR, announced that General Raheel confirmed the death sentences for nine terrorists convicted by military courts.

“The hardcore terrorists were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attack on Parade Lane Mosque, Inter-Services Intelligence Headquarters, Multan, attacks on Law Enforcement Agencies, kidnapping and killing civilians in Lahore. These convicts were tried by military courts,” the statement said.

PHOTO: ISPR

The Pakistan Army is currently carrying out a military operation, codenamed Zarb-e-Azb, against militants in its northwestern region. Officials claim that over 3,000 militants have been killed since the launch of the offensive in June 2014 with authorities vowing to intensify operations both in the border regions and across the country.

3,400 militants killed in Operation Zarb-e-Azb: ISPR

Zarb-e-Azb does seem to have had a positive impact on militant attacks, which have been down overall, with some shocking exceptions, such as the December massacre by Taliban gunmen of more than 130 children at a school in Peshawar.

But doubts have been raised about the transparency of the operation and the identities of those killed.

COMMENTS (15)

FAZ | 8 years ago | Reply @ramdar: UN? You mean the agency that even cannot pass a condemnation agaisnt Israel even if it bombs schools or civilians

Sane Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Good move! by the way don't forget to stop funding of these groups by the Saudis also.

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Zahid | 8 years ago | Reply Yes General Raheel Sharif the year 2016 we will finish all the terrorism activities corrupt and these corrupt politicians both sitting government and outside country We the nation stand with you General Pakistan Army Zindabad Pakistan Paindabad

Human | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada Dude your PM can't seem to take it for another 70 days! :) Just a year of improved civil-military ties in Pakistan and look at the change! Pakistan Zindabaad.

observer | 8 years ago | Reply "2016 to see end of terrorism: Army chief" You mean end of "bad" terrorism?

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply @Aftab Ali: Your words are sheer nonsense and a big lie. Asma Jahangir is one the bravest person of Pakistan. She demands rule of law from every one including Generals. If some of our past Generals had followed law and constitution, there would have been no terrorism. General Raheel is one of the few who is doing a right thing. Our greatest fear is that what would happen after his retirement.

Lobster | 8 years ago | Reply

we will root out terrorism, crime and CORRUPTION

Ouch, Sindh Government.

S.R.H. Hashmi | 8 years ago | Reply According to the report, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Friday said 2016 will be the year of unity and eliminating terror from the country. This was followed by a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) which quoted the army chief as saying “With the support of the nation, we will root out terrorism, crime and corruption and will make peace and justice prevalent in the country.” Now, the statement sounds good to the ears, but there obviously are some problems associated with it. First of all, ending corruption throughout the country is not even within army’s mandate, and there already are serious problems in Sindh because of army-officered Rangers’ involvement with corruption, which has been categorically declared by the Sindh government to be beyond the mandate of the paramilitary force. Also, considering what has been achieved in Karachi in a period exceeding two years, the claim to eliminate terrorism throughout the country in the next twelve months seems to be a rather tall order, more so in the circumstances where such a move has not even been started in real earnest in Punjab – where most of the terrorist outfits have their headquarters - and the federal capital. The masses are quite used to hearing tall claims from the politicians, but even they receive plenty of ridicule for indulging in such activity. Like Nawaz Sharif’s proclamation to make Pakistan Asian tiger was greeted with many cartoons, the best among which was the one where Nawaz Sharif was shown looking at a mouse with a magnifying glass and seeing it as a tiger. It would be shocking if the armed forces were to indulge in similar activity. People are quite used to taking our politicians as mere talkers - apart from their other harmful traits – while recognizing and appreciating the armed forces personnel as doers. I think it would be best to leave it at that and not to blur the distinction. Karachi

ramdar | 8 years ago | Reply @FAZ: 'India funded Mukti....' True, but remember, Mukti was not banned by UN. Mukti acted within their own country. Mukti had blessing of Shaikh Mujib, the democratically elected leader of Pakistan. Mukti was disbanded more than 40 years back.

Prada | 8 years ago | Reply @FAZ: "Now, its our turn.." You forget the simple fact that East Pakistan asked us for help against atrocities committed against them. But if you want to keep the issue rolling, India can afford to keep at it for another 70 years. Don't know if Pakistan can. @Waseem: oh seriously? Those groups openly collect "donations" during ID. Enough said.

Aftab Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Not till Asma Jahangir is alive. She will bail out or stop their executions at all costs. Terrorist rights are more important to her than human rights of all humans.

Waseem | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada: //Groups like JeM, HuM and LeT are deeply entrenched in Pakistan’s society..// oh seriously?

FAZ | 8 years ago | Reply @Prada: India funded Mukti. We funded the ones you mentioned. India funded TTP. Now, its our turn..

Prada | 8 years ago | Reply Groups like JeM, HuM and LeT are deeply entrenched in Pakistan's society. There is no way they can ever be rooted out. If they are not, the neighbors will not sit around twiddling their thumbs. They will retaliate. This can only be done if terrorists of all hue are eliminated.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Not only that, but all forms of extremism. And hopefully, a country that learns to respect women, non muslims, and democracy.

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