News
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
‘Misguided minority’ defeated by vote: Kayani* COAS says nation has proved that it can face any challenge
* Army determined for prosperity and rule of law in country
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday said that the people of Pakistan not only courageously withstood the threat of terrorism, they also defied and defeated unfounded dictates of an insignificant and misguided minority in the general elections.
Kayani said the nation has proved that it could face any challenge, and has defeated the “misguided minority”. “In the recently conducted general elections, the nation has amply demonstrated that it can withstand any challenge,” he remarked while addressing a day-long international symposium on counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) “Saving lives by jointly defeating IEDs” here at the GHQ. As a nation, he observed that Pakistanis were peace-loving people. Overwhelming majority of the people is moderate, resilient and extraordinarily hardworking. “As a nation, our commitment to moderation, prosperity and rule of law is total and unwavering. We have the resolve and a firm belief to overcome the challenges towards attainment of these goals,” he added.
Kayani said one of these challenges was the threat of terrorism. “In fighting this menace, we share the experience of many other nations,” he added. Pakistan, he said, had a rich experience of dealing and succeeding against the faceless enemy, who employed highly innovative means of destruction. In pursuit of global peace, Pakistan had to respond to this enemy equally innovatively while always staying a step ahead, he added. The COAS proposed formation of a regional military counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) forum supported by a wider international forum to benefit from experiences of regional and global countries involved.
He hoped that this proposal would receive serious consideration from the participants and their countries. He said with the support and collaboration of international community, Pakistan and the region would overcome the menace of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk