ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir said on Wednesday the country’s armed forces would continue to play their role to create a safe environment in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province to ensure its economic progress.
The army chief made the statement during his visit to Peshawar where he was received by the top general and briefed about the overall security situation, including initiatives against smuggling, hoarding and drug trafficking.
Pakistan has experienced a surge in militancy, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which shares its western border with Afghanistan, after a fragile truce between the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the government in Islamabad collapsed in November last year.
The Pakistani administration is also trying to generate economic activity across the country to deal with tough financial challenges, though security challenges in places like the northwestern province and Balochistan have impeded its efforts.
Pakistan Army will continue to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in KPK to provide a secure environment for economic development
“We have to synergize our efforts for peace and prosperity of our beloved country,” the army’s media wing, ISPR, quoted him as saying during the visit. “Pakistan Army will continue to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in KPK to provide a secure environment for economic development.”
The army chief also had an interactive session with the women of the province at the “KPK Women Symposium, 2023.”
Addressing the participants of the gathering, he said that women had played a vital role in the progress of the country throughout Pakistan’s history.
He acknowledged that women of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had faced multifaceted challenges due to the country’s prolonged war against extremism in their province. However, he also applauded them for their “resilience, commitment and bravery” in the face of all odds.
The army chief also encouraged them to participate in the progress and development of their province and the newly merged tribal territories.
