COAS Raheel Sharif inspects progress on CPEC in Balochistan

RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) - Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Saturday visited Panjgur and Turbat areas of Balochistan and inspected the under-construction road network as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Inter Services Public Relations said.

On his official twitter account, DG ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa said the COAS was apprised by FWO that as many as 11 of its units have been employed in Balochistan for construction of 870km  long stretch of roads at five different locations simultaneously, out of which 502km of roads have already been completed in less than one and half year.



The army chief appreciated FWO for its untiring efforts in construction of such a vast road network across the length and breadth of Balochistan against all odds, and paid rich tributes to FWO soldiers for sacrificing their lives and limbs for undertaking this national project.



Emphasising the importance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor( CPEC), General Raheel said the construction of roads would 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 acutely aware of our rivals  campaign against the corridor project," the ISPR quoted him as saying. Gen Raheel also vowed the armed forces were ready to pay any price to turn this long cherished dream into reality.



"CPEC and Gwadar Port will be built and developed as one of the most strategic deep sea port in the region at all costs," the army chief vowed.

Talking to notables of the area, the army chief 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 they would be best served by these projects.



The potential of Balochistan as a regional hub for trade in goods and energy would only be realised with a whole of nation approach for its security and development, he added.

General Raheel Sharif further emphasised a secure and peaceful environment was a must to push all the planned development work. He also lauded the law enforcement agencies for bringing a noticeable change in the overall security situation of the province.

Lauding the Frontier Constabulary and police for conducting successful operations against foreign funded terrorists who were involved in disruption of law and order in the province, the COAS said ongoing military operation, Zarb-e-Azb, was also 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 end objective," the army chief stated.