Time to end this human tragedy and resolve Kashmir issue: COAS

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire of resolving the longstanding Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and the United Nations resolutions.

“It’s time to end this human tragedy and resolve Kashmir issue as per aspirations of people of J&K and UN resolutions,” he was quoted by military’s media wing, the ISPR, as saying while addressing the frontline troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday.

Gen Qamar offered Eid prayer with the troops and prayed for peace and prosperity of Pakistan, according to the official statement.

Speaking on the occasion, the army chief hailed morale of the troops, as well as their devotion and operational preparedness. The COAS also appreciated the formation for all out assistance extended to civil administration for containment of Covid-19 and stressed the need to exercise maximum caution.

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“Security, safety and wellbeing of people of Pakistan is our responsibility... Pakistan army will do everything to live up to expectations of our nation,” Gen Qamar stressed.

The army chief also paid glowing tribute to martyrs of Pakistan for their sacrifices. “As soldiers we take pride to be on duty and defending the motherland irrespective of the front or occasion,” the COAS emphasised.

“On this Eid day, we must not forget valiant struggle of brave people of Kashmir. [It’s] time to end this human tragedy and resolve Kashmir issue as per aspirations of people of J&K and UN resolutions,” Gen Qamar concluded.

Commander Rawalpindi Corps Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas received the COAS upon his arrival at the defacto border between Pakistan and India.

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Earlier in February, the army chief had said that Pakistan and India must resolve Kashmir dispute in a “dignified and peaceful manner”.

“Pakistan and India must resolve the longstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir in a dignified and peaceful manner as per the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and bring this human tragedy to its logical conclusion,” the army said during the graduation ceremony of 144th GD(P), 90th Engineering Course and 100th AD courses held at PAF Academy, Asghar Khan.

“However, we will not allow anybody or any entity to misinterpret our desire for peace as a sign of weakness,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) cited the COAS as saying.