Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan’s doors were open for “those brothers who had been misguided by the enemyâ€.Gen Bajwa was on a daylong visit to Quetta where he addressed the officers of the Southern Command.He shared thoughts with the officers on the security environment and challenges.  According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Bajwa’s address was focused on professional matters under the evolving security environment. Addressing the passing-out parade of Baloch recruits, he said the people of Balochistan had rejected the anti-state elements.He said Pakistan’s armed forces were playing their due role for the development of Balochistan.  “The growth of Balochistan is the foremost priority of us all,†he said, adding that the Baloch people will take an active part in the progress of the country in the coming years.Highlighting the importance he attaches to Balochistan, the army chief said it was his third visit to the province since he took over the command. The days are not far when the enemy will meet its ultimate fate, while terrorists and their facilitators will also be brought to book, he said. General Bajwa said development of Balochistan was the top-most priority of the government. He said Balochistan was the largest province of the country bestowed with immense resource and capable human resource. He said improvement in the Balochistan’s law and order was also the top-most priority of the government and the Pakistan Army, together with other institutions, was extending cooperation for the purpose. He said it was an endeavour of the armed forces and other law-enforcement institutions to play a positive role in the economic development of the province despite limited resources. Making a strong pitch for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its importance for Balochistan, Gen Bajwa said timely completion of the project will herald a new era of progress in the region.He expressed the hope that completion of CPEC project would prove to be the beginning of a new era in the development of Balochistan. He expressed the confidence that terrorists would meet their nemesis because of patriotism of the Baloch people.The COAS’ offer has given some hope that the Baloch people are still partners in development and without their participation, Pakistan cannot progress. The royalties from minerals, gas and other natural resources should be spent on the uplift of Balochistan and its poor people. Military operations are not the solution to every problem, especially long standing political ones. The present operation should be called off and a political solution should be sought for the Balochistan issue. It may take time to clear the mess inherited from the past but the first steps for it need to be taken now.  The government leaders in Balochistan tried to establish contact with leaders of the separatist groups living abroad. They however received little practical support in removing the complaints like disappearances of political activists in the province and the appearance of dead bodies. The government should engage all stakeholders, exiled leaders and insurgents in talks to maintain durable peace in the province.
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