NUZHAT NAZAR

ISLAMABAD: Lamenting the firing incident on protesters in Parachinar by Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel while handling mob situation after twin blasts in the city, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Friday said that the incident is being probed and those responsible for it will not be spared.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army, the Army Chief said, “The enemies shall never succeed to lower our resolve or to divide us. As a nation we have given unprecedented sacrifices in war against terrorism and we shall succeed. “

Gen Bajwa further said that FC commandant has already been changed, adding, “Notwithstanding the irreparable loss, four Shaheeds (martyrs) and injured due to firing have been given separate compensation by FC.”

General Bajwa said this during his visit to Parachinar, Kurram Agency, where he was briefed in detail about security situation and recent terrorist incidents. The COAS interacted with local tribal elders and representatives of the sit-in.

The COAS said that he was abroad and on return weather delayed his attempts to visit Parachinar. The Army Chief reaffirmed that the affectees of Parachinar terrorist incident would be given aid that will be equal to the compensation being given in other areas of the country, saying all Pakistanis are equal.

Appreciating the FC KP and local administration for their efforts, the Army Chief acknowledged their contributions. To date 126 brave soldiers of FC KP alone have laid their lives and 387 have got injured while performing security duties in Kurram Agency only. “FC KP is a professional force inclusive of all tribes and sects performing their duties selflessly,” the COAS said.

Meanwhile Commander Peshawar Corps and IG FC were present at Parachinar and they implemented directions of COAS in taking care of the victims and the affected families.

Speaking at the occasion, tribal elders expressed their full confidence and trust in Army and its leadership. “We stand with our security forces and our blood is for our motherland. We all are Pakistanis and Muslims,” the elders remarked.

Later the COAS also met the representatives of sit-in and listened to their concerns. The eight days long sit-in in Parachinar was called off on Friday evening by the protesters after a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.  The sit-in was staged in the city by the families and residents to protest the lack of security and continued terrorist attacks after a twin bombing on June 23. 

“While administrative concerns will be pursued with the executive body, suggestions regarding security mechanism are being incorporated forthwith. We can only be effective when locals are part of the security and vigilance,” the COAS said.

The COAS announced that local facilitators and abettors have been apprehended who will be tried in military courts as there are clear evidence of hostile foreign hands in recent incidents. He said additional Army troops have been moved in Parachinar to enhance its security while FC troops are being beefed up on Pak-Afghan border to seal it effectively. Turi Razakars (volunteers) are also being dovetailed at check posts, he added.

Safe city project for Parachinar by installing CCTV cameras in line with the ones in Lahore and Islamabad will be undertaken, he announced. Moreover, he said that fencing of border is already in progress. More sensitive areas of FATA are being fenced in phase-1 while complete Pak-Afghan border will be fenced in phase-2.

He announced that Army Public School Parachinar is named after Maj Gulfam Shaheed and will be upgraded to cadet college in due course, adding that a trauma centre will be established at Parachinar by Army while local civil hospital will be upgraded for better medical care by civil administration.

Gen Bajwa said that Army fully supports mainstreaming of FATA which is being pursued and its early implementation is essential for enduring peace and stability.

The COAS said that Pakistan Army shall continue its efforts to bring back normalcy in the country. He said that threat continues to reside across the border in Afghanistan with ISIS gaining strength there. “We need to remain united, steadfast, prepared and vigilant against this threat which has an agenda of exploiting sectarian fault-line. “Our security forces are symbol of national integration so is our security apparatus; we are one nation.” The COAS further remarked, “Also, a greater Pak-Afg border coordination and security cooperation is required in this regard.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced compensation package for the families of the killed people and those who were injured in the Parachinar blasts on June 23.

As per announcement, Rs 1 million will be given to the families of the killed people in the blasts while an amount of Rs 0.5 million has been announced for every injured person.

At least 75 people lost their lives and over 300 were injured in the back-to-back bombings that hit the city on June 23. The first blast occurred as the people were busy shopping for Iftar and Eid in Turi Bazaar, an area close to a crowded bus terminal in Parachinar. The second explosion took place as people rushed to provide aid and rescue the wounded from the first explosion.