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Gwadar, April 19(ANI): Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has expressed his intent to pull out troops from Sui and Gwadar in the next two months.

During his address at the inauguration of Government Institute of Technology in Gwadar, General Kayani said that the army has been protecting the people in Balochistan.

He said that after the withdrawal of the army, Sui and Gwadar would be handed over to the Frontier Constabulary, and the army would not take part in operations in these areas in future.

General Kayani also said that efforts were being made to bring Balochistan into the national mainstream, adding in this regard that 5,000 Baloch youth would join the Pakistan Army later this month.

He also said that Pakistan is facing internal threats, and gave the Soviet Union’s example while pointing out that countries break up due to internal rifts.

“It was a major power, but when it lost its public support, it got dismembered,” The Nation quoted General Kayani, as saying.

He urged the people and the army to jointly defend the country and strengthen defence through cooperation, adding that only public strength can strengthen the army.

“We all are equally responsible for defending our motherland,” said the army chief.

General Kayani reiterated that the army would be bound to the orders of the provincial government with respect to military operations in Balochistan.
“We want to see Pakistan safe and strong. The Army is guarantee of the country’s defence. However, national unity is inevitable for making country’s defence impregnable. A strong army is not enough for country’s defence as everyone would have to play the due role,” he stated. (ANI)