Balochistan security: Fear of terror is removed, says Lt General Janjua

Says Independence Day fervour shows that people and army are on the same page

QUETTA: Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua has said that the people of Balochistan and the army are now on the same page and the sense of fear is gone.

“The sense of fear in Quetta has ended. People were afraid to hoist national flags, but now the patriotic fervour for celebrating the Independence Day is worth seeing,” he said on Wednesday.

Janjua was briefing intellectuals, writers, columnists, reporters and TV anchors from all over the country on the law and order situation in Balochistan.

Frontier Corps Inspector General Maj Gen Sher Afgun, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Mir Jam Kamal, MPA Prince Ali Ahmad Baloch and senior army officers were present at the occasion.

Elaborating on the improving sense of security in the insurgency-hit province, Lt Gen Janjua said that the militant commanders are surrendering arms and becoming part of national mainstream.

“Moreover, projects of economic importance like Kachhi Canal are underway along with road network construction across the province,” he said.

He said these goals were attained due to the efforts of provincial government, the FC, and the intelligence agencies.

“We took along the government and the opposition in our efforts to restore peace. We allowed the home minister to work [independently]. All these steps have led to improving the security situation in the province and have set it on the path of progress,” Lt Gen Janjua said.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is keen on the development of Balochistan and visited the province seven times.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2015.