Pak troops to be in Waziristan till peace is restored: Kayani

Islamabad: Pakistani troops will remain in Waziristan till complete peace is restored in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan, army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said on Friday.

“The army will stay in the area till complete peace is restored,” he said. Due to the efforts of the army, the operation against terrorists was completed in a month, he added.

Kayani said the government was working on a plan to ensure the development of Waziristan by providing civic amenities to the people and constructing roads to link the region to the rest of the country. The new road was inaugurated by Kayani and the ambassador of the UAE.

Later, Kayani visited the Khyber tribal region to monitor operations against a terrorist stronghold in Maidan area of Tirah Valley. Talking to troops, he lauded the swift and successful completion of operations and “eviction of all terrorists, including foreigners”.

Despite difficulties, all possible care must be taken to ensure that the people do not suffer needlessly and internally displaced persons are rehabilitated as early as possible, he said.