Farewell tour: Enemy designs to keep Karachi on boil blunted, says COAS

Lauds efforts of officers and soldiers in maintaining peace and improving security in the city

KARACHI: Life has returned to normal and business activities in Karachi have picked up momentum, allowing the Sindh metropolis to contribute its due share to the national economy, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif remarked on Wednesday during his farewell visit to the city.

Gen Raheel visited Corps V and Sindh Rangers headquarters and lauded the efforts of officers and soldiers in maintaining peace and improving the security situation in the metropolis and other parts of Sindh.

“All designs of Pakistan’s enemies to keep the Sindh metropolises on the boil have been blunted … These gains cannot be allowed to be reversed,” a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted the COAS as saying.

Gen Raheel will retire on November 28 after serving as the army chief for three years. He was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on November 27, 2013.

The outgoing army chief started his farewell visits to military installations on Monday in Lahore, ending all speculation to the contrary. This was the third leg of his farewell tour after Quetta.

Addressing soldiers in Karachi, he said: “Integrated with the provincial government, our efforts to help build the capacity of civilian law-enforcement agencies must continue for sustainable peace.”

Appreciating the role of the armed forces for maintaining vigilance along international borders, he acknowledged the delivery of social services by Pakistan Army and Rangers to people living in remote areas of Sindh during disasters and crisis-like situations.

Advising the troops to focus on professional pursuits, he urged them to keep the best soldiering traditions intact.

On his arrival, the army chief was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant-General Naveed Mukhtar.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2016.