Social media trolls can’t derail progress: COAS

Gen Asim says economic stability essential for complete independence

RAWALPINDI:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said on Friday that negative propaganda and social media trolls could not distract the nation from advancing towards the development and prosperity of Pakistan and its people.

Addressing a Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) conference, General Asim asserted that the unwavering support of the armed forces, coupled with the collective resolve of the nation, would thwart all adversarial forces seeking to hinder Pakistan's progress.

He urged the populace to unite in rejecting the influence of these detrimental elements, emphasizing the imperative of resilience and unity in the face of such challenges.

“We are all a united team Pakistan – Inshallah with the cooperation and support of the people, all efforts by those who distract and obstruct Pakistan’s development journey will fail."

He emphasised that the negative propaganda and social media trolls could not distract the nation from working for the development and prosperity of Pakistan and its people, warning that no attempt to create instability would be tolerated.

”In today’s era, complete independence without economic stability is not possible, whereas no instability would be tolerated in Pakistan’s journey towards prosperity and development. Let us all reject negative forces together and focus on Pakistan’s journey of development and stability,” he said.

The GPI conference was also attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, besides the civil and military officials, involved in this national undertaking, according to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

The media wing of the military said that the forum was briefed about the multi-faceted GPI initiatives aimed at ensuring food security and enhancing agricultural productivity in Pakistan and the significant benchmarks achieved in a short span of time.

Also read: COAS sets sight on 'agri revolution'

The initiatives presented on the occasion, included establishment of model farms, water management schemes, technology innovations and investment partnerships. Gen Asim said that Pakistan was blessed “with an industrious and resilient nation which needs to come together” for national development.

“COAS assured that Pakistan Army will continue to provide all possible support for the economic development of Pakistan and underscored that the Army’s efforts would contribute towards comprehensive national security and collective good of the nation,” read the ISPR press release.

The federal ministers, while concluding the session, lauded this transformative initiative and underscored that agriculture was the lifeline of Pakistan. They hoped that the GPI would introduce contemporary best practices in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, the ISPR stated.

In July last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had inaugurated the GPI along with the army chief, which aims at bringing investment worth billions of dollars in the next four to five years in the agriculture sector of Pakistan.

Shehbaz had said that the initiative would be the second green revolution, paving the way for prosperity and progress in the country. Under this programme, the government anticipated an average investment of $30 to 50 billion over the next three to four years.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)