Foreign-backed individuals exploiting sentiments of terror victims: COAS

General Qamar Bajwa says PTM itself not an issue; matters being highlighted genuine

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that a few individuals are pursuing foreign agenda and exploiting the sentiments of terrorism victims.

“The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) itself is not an issue. The issues being highlighted are genuine and natural in a post-operation environment,” said the army chief on Thursday during an interaction with university students at the Corps Auditorium in Peshawar.

“However, a few individuals playing in foreign hands are by design exploiting the sentiments of the people who have actually suffered at the hands of terrorism and now need care,” Gen Qamar was quoted as saying by the military’s media wing, the ISPR.

At a media briefing earlier this week, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, DG ISPR, accused the PTM leadership of receiving funds from the spy agencies of India and Afghanistan. He also hinted at legal action against the PTM leaders.

The army chief reiterated that the both government as well as the security forces are working to address the issues of the people of the erstwhile tribal areas without any discrimination.

“For us, progress towards enduring peace through socio-economic development comes first, and we shall fail all inimical forces and their conspiracies trying to undo our gains,” Gen Qamar said.

“It’s time now to have its dividends through socio-economic development in which education is the most important,” he added. Pakistan, the COAS said, was blessed with dynamic and talented youth and future of the country belongs to them.

The students expressed full support for Pakistan’s armed forces saying that they would be contributors and not by-standers to the bright future of Pakistan and they would not be swayed by detractors of any type.