[Thread]: Army Chief's visit to #Turbat, #Balochistan! COAS faced some tough questions during his visit to Turbat University on Tuesday. COAS also averted questions about @BAwamiParty's emergence, performance, & military role in bringing it in power by snatching others' mandates.
Local elders, including members of Haq-Do-Tehreek of #Balochistan, repeatedly criticized the military for backing BAP and pushing genuine #Baloch leaders to the wall. COAS admitted backing BAP wasn't a useful idea but reiterated that the formation of BAP wasn't a military idea.
COAS & the army faced severe criticism for snatching Syed Ihsan Shah & National Party's mandate. Shah is a local politician & provincial MP who contested on NA271. He faced severe problems making it to National Assembly only because the military wanted Zobeda Jalal in NA.
The military was criticized for its interference in #Balochistan's economic, social and political affairs. Bajwa discussed the local body and upcoming general elections and promised no intervention in local body & gen elections.
Bajwa gave an impression that the military would set aside its traditional differences with parliamentary nationalists. He especially praised @DrMalikBalochNP, ex-CM, for the development work in #Kech.
Bajwa was also reminded that Malik Baloch changed the structure of Kech, specially Turbat, with the help & support of @pmln_org. COAS uplifted strict security measures on the Pak-Iran border and announced free trade. Bajwa urged Baloch youth to join the armed forces.
This was an in-camera session, and strict security measures were taken on this occasion. Bajwa has visited Kech twice since late January. This was his fourth visit to Balochistan in two months.
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