Pakistan’s army chief visits Balochistan, stresses region’s development as key to country’s success

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir visited the impoverished and insurgency-prone Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, interacting with farmers and evaluating the security situation, while emphasizing the region’s development as imperative for the success of the entire country.
Balochistan, which lies at the heart of Pakistan’s economic development plans, has been a scene of low-level insurgency for several decades.
Despite being rich in natural resources like gas, oil and minerals, the province remains one of the poorest places in Pakistan, prompting a separatist movement by armed nationalist groups that accused the central government in Islamabad for not letting the region get its fair share of the wealth.
Baloch nationals have also blamed Pakistani security forces for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, though these allegations have been frequently denied by the country’s civilian and military authorities.
The army chief visited Balochistan’s Awaran district earlier in the day where he was briefed about the efforts made by the security forces to ensure the socioeconomic development and enhancement of the province’s agriculture potential.
“Success of Balochistan is success of Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying in an official statement released by the military’s media wing, ISPR. “People of Pakistan are proud of the brave people of Balochistan who have stood tall against all odds. Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies will continue to render their services in support of the people of Balochistan for peace and prosperity.”
General Munir interacted with the local elders and farmers in the area, emphasizing the significance of agriculture and the army’s commitment to the Green Pakistan Initiative, an environmental project aimed at combating climate change and deforestation in the country.
He said that farmers would be given all kinds of agricultural facilities, including the provision of easy loans, seeds, fertilizers, solar tube wells and guidance from experts, to help them cultivate their lands and become partners in the progress and development of their country.
The army chief also inaugurated Cadet College Awaran and interacted with its students and faculty members.
General Munir was received by the corps commander of the Balochistan Corps upon arrival to the district.