QUETTA: Commander of the 12 Corps Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali has said that peace will be maintained in the border areas at all costs as it has been restored after considerable sacrifices were rendered by the security forces.

Restoration of peace attained with the cooperation of tribal people in the border areas has paved way for development activity in the region, he said.

Speaking at a grand tribal jirga during his visit to Pishin, Lt Gen Ali said efficient management of the border areas was required for peace and security and welfare of local people.

During the visit, the corps commander was accompanied by Inspector General of Frontier Corps (Balochistan-North) Maj Gen Mohammad Yousaf Majoka.

The jirga was attended by tribal elders in large numbers from Chaman, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah and Musakhail besides members of the Balochistan Assembly, including Asghar Khan Tareen, Maulvi Abdul Wahid Siddiqui and Azizullah Agha.

The corps commander said: “We will solve the problems of the region at the local level with the cooperation of tribal elders and will take special care of the people under the border security system.”

He said that mutual respect and trust were the foundations of a strong relationship between the people and the armed forces. “Security forces’ personnel are performing their duties for the protection and prosperity of the people of Balochistan,” he said, adding that cooperation and unwavering trust of the tribal people were key to success in this regard.

He said that the stakeholders must work together for the development of remote areas of the province.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2022