No terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan, Gen Bajwa assures international conference

This file photo shows Pakistan’s Army Chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, during the handover ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Nov.29, 2016. (Pakistan Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR)/Handout via REUTERS)

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability while participating in the Munich Security Council on Saturday.
General Bajwa pointed out that his country had launched several security operations against terrorist networks operating in the region, adding that there were no organized militant training camps or sanctuaries in Pakistan anymore.
The army chief said that his country has done everything to ensure proper management of its western border and was unilaterally building a fence and hundreds of surveillance forts for that purpose.
He added that these steps were taken not only to curb militant movement, but also to facilitate Afghan nationals who visit his country for legitimate reasons.
General Bajwa also noted that there were several ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan that were exploited by militant factions in that country.
He maintained that there were nearly 2.7 million Afghan refugees in his country and their settlements were routinely used by the Haqqani network and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to recruit, morph and melt.
The army chief noted that Pakistan was fully committed to the international consensus that political reconciliation was the only solution to the Afghan issue.
“While we are actively supporting the new US strategy in the region, primarily based on a kinetic approach, we are not leaving any stone unturned to try and do our best in bringing the parties of the conflict on the negotiation table,” he added.