Pakistan

RAW is blatantly destabilising CPEC, says General Raheel

Army chief speaks at the Peace and Prosperity in Balochistan and CPEC seminar in Gwadar

Kamran Yousuf April 12, 2016

COAS General Raheel Sharif addresses a seminar on CPEC in Balochistan on Tuesday. PHOTO: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said on Tuesday that the India’s premier spy agency was blatantly involved in destabilising Pakistan as well as and the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“Hostile intelligence agencies averse to this grand project [CPEC], especially Indian intelligence agency RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] which is blatantly involved in destabilising Pakistan,” the COAS was cited as saying at the seminar titled, Peace and Prosperity in Balochistan and CPEC, held in Gwadar.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief said he would not leave any stone unturned to make the economic corridor a regional success.

Politicking may hurt CPEC, says World Bank

“As COAS, I assure you security of CPEC which is our national undertaking. We won’t leave any stone unturned and continue to close watch at every step,” he added.

General Raheel assured the CPEC project will go as planned no matter what it takes as it is a reflection of all-weather Pakistan-China ties. “CPEC, a reflection of Pak-China friendship, will be truly realised whatever it takes. This year we will move cargo from China to Gwadar and beyond.”

Transparency and good management are important factors for the success of CPEC, and that socio-economic justice will increase the masses’ stake in the national unity, he added.

Zarb-e-Azb in final stages

Speaking about the continuing offensive against militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), the army chief said the Operation Zarb-e-Azb is now in its final stages, and Pakistan has come a long way in its fight against terrorism to pave the way for stability.

He urged the international community to not only acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army against terrorism but also help the country block external aid for terrorist organisations, their financers and abettors.

“Operation Zarb-e-Azb [is] not only an operation but wholesome concept. [It] aims at breaking the syndicate of terrorism, extremism and corruption,” Gen Raheel said.

COMMENTS (16)

IBN E ASHFAQUE | 8 years ago | Reply @Jibran: 100% agree with you.....PML (N) cannot share anything......We do not need RAW we have the GREED of PML (N) to destroy Pakistan.....

Gikian | 8 years ago | Reply China had already told Pakistan in 2015 that India could destabilize CPEC, the fact was already know to common Pakistanis lightyears before...!

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Sceptic | 8 years ago | Reply Why is the world's best intelligence service not able to.counter.RAW?

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply @Jibran: CPEC is a brain child of Mian Sahib. How can he go against it.

PrasadDeccani | 8 years ago | Reply Gen Raheel, with due respect, let me say that you are creating a fictitious enemy only to 'defeat' it and make your nation happy. When CPEC is implemented you will all say - see, we didn't allow RAW to jeopardize CPEC.

Lakhar Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Keep on arresting them like that Indian James Bond 007, Kulbushan Jadhav, and keep hanging them like Sarabjeet Singh.

Azi | 8 years ago | Reply @observer: Pretty sure he has the next COAS groomed for the job. This trend is only going to go upward now due to situations created by raw and pmln. Army is on guard now more than ever and leaving of COAS wont mean any settling of dust. I wonder what kind of damages ISI can do if it takes similar approach to India's internal situations. Judging from poor infrastructure in place it can achieve a lot, if it wanted.

Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Not surprising at all. Let's not forget East Pakistan and Siachen. India has always had a policy of weakening it's neighbors. Do remember it was India who were the sponsors of the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

Ibs | 8 years ago | Reply He blatantly stated the facts which was long overdue. It's funny how even before a bomb explodes in India, India claims Pakistan is responsible yet we have all these Indians commenting here crying over how the COAS spoke openly. Things are changing India. You tried your best to destroy Karachi and you know it won't work. With China in the neighborhood and a strong Pakistani forces it's time for you to move back or try your cheap tactics of destabilizing Pakistan by visiting the friendly countries that support it.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply ........but who is behind RAW ?

Brainy Bhaijan | 8 years ago | Reply So the army has taken a complete u-turn on cordial relations with India. Perhaps the Chinese can pump in some sense into this scenario.

observer | 8 years ago | Reply “As COAS, I assure you security of CPEC which is our national undertaking. We won’t leave any stone unturned and continue to close watch at every step,” he added. A. Gwadar is likely to become functional by end of 2017. B. CPEC is going to be fully implemented by 2030. C. Raheel Sharif retires in November, 2016. So how does he 'assure security of CPEC'. Extension till 2030 or what?

Rahul | 8 years ago | Reply I really wish RAW is involved in destabilizing CPEC. We seriously don't need China meddling in the region.

Mirror | 8 years ago | Reply Just like u tried destabilising our financial capital all these years with regular blasts every year till u were caught red handed with live caught Kasab agent and 10 member team, Gilani, and hundreds to jk and punjab through infiltration? Stragetic asset aren't they?

woz ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply The foreign hand strikes again, if not for the foreign hand we would be Switzerland../.alledgedly. CEPC will continue. whether it it is good for the nation is up in the air, to blame India before anything meaningful happens is just posturing. \In my opinion CPEC initiatives are only good for Chinese banks and i doubt Gwader is an important factor, but only time will tell.

Jibran | 8 years ago | Reply A foolish statement. It is the PMLN leadership that is responsible for making CPAC controversial. Are you suggesting that PMLN is a synonym for RAW?

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