Shehbaz visits NWA, pays tribute to soldiers

Says Pakistan Army role in overcoming terrorism will be remembered

LAHORE: Days before the end of his tenure, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday paid a rare visit to Miranshah area of North Waziristan Agency ‘to show solidarity with the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army’.

Shehbaz’s visit, at the last legs of his tenure, may be seen as an attempt as the head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to improve his party’s strained ties with the military establishment, which is continually targeted by his elder brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif since his disqualification.

The Punjab CM visited Pakistan-Afghanistan border area as well as the 7th Division Headquarters where he was briefed by GOC Major Gen Azhar Abbasi. He also laid floral wreath at the monument of the martyrs and offered Fateha for the departed souls.

Shehbaz paid rich tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. He also went to Katoon area on the border where he was briefed about managing the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as its fencing.

During his visit, the chief minister also went to Younis Khan Sports Complex.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that border fencing had helped overcome the incidents of terrorism. “Punjab government has extended its support for fencing in the past and do the same in the future,” he said.

He said he had come to Miranshah and to the border area to show solidarity with the brave officers and jawans of Pakistan Army. “The history of most daring examples of success in war against terrorism has been written with the blood of our brave sons,” he said.

Shehbaz said there was no other example of such great sacrifices in the history of the nations and the historic efforts put forth by the Pakistan Army would never be forgotten by the nation.

“In fact, the role of Pakistan Army in overcoming the menace of terrorism will be written in golden words,” he added.

The CM said the brave officers and jawans had written stories of success with their precious blood. “The whole nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces of Pakistan,” he added.

“The war against terrorism is a struggle of national survival and we have to win it at every cost. The success of operation Radd-ul-Fasad after Zarb-e-Azb is the triumph of the whole nation and I salute the officers and jawans over their bravery and courage.

“In fact, such a war has never been fought in the history of the nations and the unforgettable role played by the armed forces will never be forgotten by Pakistani nation,” he added.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, PM’s adviser Ameer Muqam and Punjab government’s spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan accompanied the chief minister.