COAS expresses deep concern over surge in Afghan violence

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has expressed deep concern on the recent surge in violence inside Afghanistan and loss of precious innocent lives. According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR, the army chief reiterates that there is no support to any terrorist activity inside Afghanistan from Pakistan side, saying that the alleged return of injured/dead terrorists from Ghazni is incorrect. "There are scores of Pakistanis working in Afghanistan in connection with various businesses/labour who periodically fall victim to terrorism acts alongside their Afghan brothers inside Afghanistan. Terming such victims as terrorists is unfortunate," General Bajwa mentioned. Gen bajwa highlighted that there are different factions of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), hiding under Afghan identities, are transported into Pakistan for medical help when they are injured/ dead. He added that  Afghan refugees and their relatives also resort to similar practices. The army chief stands by his commitment to the Afghan president for ensuring all measures, which could facilitate peace in Afghanistan. COAS re-emphasizsed that Afghanistan needs to look inward as the problem resides inside Afghanistan. "The solution thus remains on making substantive progress on Afghan reconciliation efforts as well as on speedy implementation of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS)," said a statement. "Pakistan continues to support all initiatives aimed at bringing peace in Afghanistan as there cannot be enduring peace in Pakistan and stability in the region if there is no peace in Afghanistan," it added.