COAS says PLA one of the best armies of world, Both armies capable of defeating nefarious designs of enemy, Pak-China coop to squeeze space for state
Observer Report
Saturday, August 01, 2015 – Islamabad—Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said Friday Pakistan Army and China’s Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) form the edifice of overall strategic relations between the two countries. “With singleness of purpose, we will definitely defeat the nefarious designs of forces detrimental to us (both countries). PLA stands today as one of the best armies of the world, and we are proud to be your brothers in arms,” he said while addressing the commemoration ceremony of the 88th Anniversary of the Founding of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held in Islamabad on Friday
General Raheel said the regional stability efforts of China and Pakistan especially seen in the context of Afghanistan will have lasting effects in the region. “Our efforts are likely to squeeze the space for the States and Non State Actors who intend seeing a destabilized and inimical Afghanistan,” her resolved.
“We are satisfied with the rounds of talks (Afghan govt-Taliban) held so far and we hope that a positive outcome would help bring stability in the region,” he added.
General Raheel said: “ It goes without saying, how deep and resolute are the relations between Pakistan and China. China-Pakistan all-weather friendship and all-round cooperation is based on trust and mutual support, and we have been devoted friends through both good and hard times”. “Undoubtedly, our relationship is sweeter than the honey, higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the oceans”.
He made it clear that any attempt to obstruct or impede the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be thwarted at all costs.
The Army Chief, while expressing the hope that the world too would look at the CPEC through the same lens that Pakistandoes, said that he had visited the construction sites to observe the pace of work. He added work was going
on in full gear.
He congratulated the PLA on the occasion and termed relations between Pakistan and China as an all weather friendship which would grow further in the times ahead.
“I reiterate our firm resolve that your enemy is our enemy and we will together overcome the challenges presented,” remarked General Sharif.
He also termed the PLA as one of the most professional armies in the world and paid tribute to PLA’s sacrifices while pursuing the dreams of the Chinese nation.
Noting that cooperation for CPEC will benefit the entire region, in addition to seeing both participating nations progressing with the dividend of maximizing geo-strategic location, Gen Raheel said that they will defeat the nefarious designs of forces detrimental to Pakistan and China.
The Army Chief pointed out that the elimination of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) — an extremist group which largely operates in the border Xinjiang region — was a manifestation of their resolve.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has directed all authorities concerned to continue rescue and relief efforts in flood-affected areas of the country ‘leaving no stone unturned’, according to a series of tweets by Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asim Bajwa.
General Raheel Sharif also announced that Pakistan Army will donate a day’s ration to the flood-hit people.
He reviewed the army’s relief efforts in flood-affected areas and directed all those involved in the relief activities to act first and report later.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif had directed all field commanders of the Pakistan Army to extend all possible assistance to people in areas affected by floods.
Pakistan Army has continued its rescue and relief operations in Chitral district and other flood-hit areas of the country.
More than a hundred villages have been affected by floods in various districts of Punjab whereas 200 villages along the River Indus have been evacuated.
