COAS General Raheel Sharif vows to complete China-Pakistan Economic Corridor at all costs

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Saturday visited Panjgur and Turbat, Balochistan, and inspected a part of under-construction road network as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by the FWO. During the briefing, the COAS was apprised that as many as 11 units of FWO have been employed in Balochistan for construction of 870km stretch of roads at five different locations simultaneously, out of which 502 kilometers of roads have already been completed in less than one and a half year on the special directive of the COAS. The COAS appreciated FWO for their untiring efforts in construction of such a vast road network across the length and breadth of Balochistan against all odds at such an amazing pace and paid rich tributes to FWO soldiers for sacrificing their lives for undertaking the national project. Emphasizing the importance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the COAS said that construction of these roads will link Gawadar Port with rest of the country at Chaman and Indus Highway to yield the real envisioned dividend of the Port and CPEC to transform the lives of people and bring prosperity to the region. “We are aware of our rivals' campaign against the corridor project and the armed forces are ready to pay any price to turn this long cherished dream into reality,” he said, adding that the CPEC and Gwadar Port would be built and developed as one of the most strategic deep seaport in the region at all costs. Talking to notables of the area, the COAS paid rich tributes to the proud and valiant people of Balochistan and thanked them for their unconditional cooperation and support for these projects, assuring them that they will be best served by these projects. The COAS said that the potential of Balochistan as a regional hub of trade in goods and energy will only be realized with a positive approach for its security and development. General Raheel Sharif emphasized that a secure and peaceful environment was a must to push all the planned development work. He lauded the law enforcement agencies for bringing a noticeable change in the overall security situation of the province. The COAS commended the FC and police for recently conducted successful operartions against some foreign-funded terrorists who were involved in disruption of law and order in the province. The COAS said that the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb was not only an operation but a concept for a terror-free Pakistan. “It will continue to target all militants without any discrimination and hunt down terrorists anywhere across the country to achieve the objective,” he maintained.