A former provincial minister has poured praises on the Army Chief, claiming that General Raheel Sharif's resolve for leading war on terror has started paying dividends with reduction of terrorism in urban centres. Mian Zahid Hussain, who is also the President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, talking to the business community on Monday, said, "The priceless sacrifices of the army and increased co-operation among spy agencies has also helped to dismantle terror networks in the rural areas."
He said, "General Raheel has sent a very loud and clear message by celebrating Eid on the front lines with troops in South Waziristan which was a great gesture at a time when militants are on the run." The General became first ever army chief to spend night in South Waziristan, indicating the confidence the army is showing and the stability in the region. With the General were Director General of Military Operations General Aamir, 11th Core Corps Commander General Hadiyat and others who had discounted all warnings of bad weather and flown there, while risking their lives.
The former minister also said, "A decision by the Sindh government to extend the Rangers' stay for one year in Karachi is good but insufficient. The Rangers' working under the command of Major General Bilal Akbar has restored confidence in the public and the business community therefore it should stay in Karachi for minimum two years as demanded by businessmen earlier."