Those who wish to isolate us should see Pakistan globally honoured: Gen Qamar

COAS addresses foreign delegates participating in Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition at Mangla

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said Pakistan has successfully neutralised malicious propaganda against it and “elements trying to isolate Pakistan must now see how it (Pakistan) is actually valued and honoured by its friends” the world over.

The statement appeared to be a clear taunt against India which had unleashed a tirade of allegations to get Pakistan declared a ‘rogue state’.

According to the ISPR, Gen Qamar made the remarks during a visit to the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi near Mangla. He is also reported to have met members of foreign military teams participating in the second Pakistan Army Team Sprit Competition (PATS).



In addition to Pakistan Army, teams from China, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand and the UK are participating in the event.  The competition, aimed at testing survival skills and physical endurance, is spread over 72 hours and include 23 field events, focusing on counterterrorism operations.

The army chief interacted with members of foreign teams and highlighted the importance of physical fitness and the spirit of team work.

Stressing the need for a collective response, Gen Qamar said terrorism was affecting the entire world. Pakistan, he said, was a peace-loving country and significantly contributed towards regional and international peace and stability.

“World acknowledges our efforts in this regard and your presence here proves it. Those who spread (malicious propaganda) to isolate Pakistan must see how Pakistan is actually valued and honoured by our global friends,” he said.



Since the Uri attack in the Indian Occupied Kashmir in September last year, the Modi government has been following an aggressive policy against Pakistan. New Delhi was tirelessly working to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.

It persuaded certain South Asian countries to stay away from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit that Pakistan was supposed to host in November last year. Similarly, the Modi administration also used other international forums to implicate Pakistan in terrorism.

The policy, however, achieved little success as even India’s long-term ally, Russia, refused to call off first-ever joint military games with Pakistan late last year.

Similarly, China also firmly supported Pakistan in the face of relentless efforts by India.

After failing to persuade the international community, India recently softened its stance and allowed a parliamentary delegation and its water officials to visit Pakistan.

New Delhi also appears to be ready to resume the structured dialogue with Pakistan, but it is reluctant to revive sporting ties, especially bilateral cricket series between the two countries.