FATA youth lauds COAS role over merger

Bajwa urges youth jirga not to allow enemy to exploit fault lines

Youth Jirga of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the ISPR office on Monday.

Gen Bajwa congratulated the brave tribes, especially the tribal youth, on successful and historic merger of Fata with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to their popular sentiments.

He said the mainstreaming would facilitate bringing enduring peace, stability and socio-economic development to the long-neglected areas.



The army chief also commended the motivation and passion of the youth in realisation of the merger. The state was determined to rooting out extremism and terrorism for which the youth had a great role to play, he highlighted.

He urged the youth to focus on their peaceful endeavours and participate in political and democratic activities. “We have achieved peace at a very high cost of blood and national exchequer and we shall never let it lose,” he said.

The jirga acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s efforts for bringing back peace, stability and socio-economic development in the area. They also acknowledged COAS’s special interest towards mainstreaming of erstwhile Fata.

The COAS also warned against inimical forces “who wish to exploit fault lines and try to reverse our gains”, adding, “they shall never succeed.”



Moreover, he lauded the youth for their determination and support to Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism. He valued their views regarding the future of Pakistan.

Gen Bajwa said that achievements through sacrifices of brave tribals were being consolidated while “we transit from relative stability to enduring peace”.

The army chief also shared his engagement with the Afghan leadership for enhanced cooperation and security measures along the Pak-Afghan border. He advised the youth to continue playing their role towards peace and progress of Pakistan as “they are the future leaders”.