QUETTA: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa met the families of the Machh massacre victims during a visit to Quetta, the military’s spokesperson said Wednesday.
According to a statement from the director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, the chief of army staff was in Quetta for a day-long visit, where he was given a detailed security brief at the HQ Southern Command.
He also interacted with a large gathering of Hazara community.
“At HQ Southern Command, COAS was apprised about prevailing security challenges in the province and the measures taken, including border management along Pakistan-Afghan and Pakistan-Iran Border,” the statement added.
Gen Bajwa spent time with the bereaved families of the Mach incident’s victims and shared their grief. He “assured them that perpetrators of this heinous incident shall be brought to justice and blood of the martyrs will not go waste”, the military’s media wing said.
Later addressing the garrison officers, COAS appreciated their preparedness and efforts for ensuring peace and stability in the province despite difficulties of terrain and distances involved. “Balochistan is in sharp focus of our enemies due to its strategic potential,” he said.
“Balochistan is the future of Pakistan and progress and prosperity of the province is progress of the country”, he reiterated.
The disruptive efforts by hostile forces won’t be allowed to succeed, COAS emphasised. Security, stability and prosperity of Balochistan shall be pursued/ ensured to the hilt, COAS concluded.
Earlier, on arrival at Quetta, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, Commander Southern Command.
