Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that 'unsettled disputes' are forcing the South Asian region back to poverty and underdevelopment. He made this remark in reference to the Kashmir dispute, while addressing a session at the National Security Dialogue in Islamabad.
The COAS added that national security entails aspects beyond mere protection from internal and external threats, as it now includes development and human security as well.
"Surely, it [national security] is not solely a function of the armed forces alone," he said, terming national security an 'all-encompassing notion'.
Further, the army chief said that Pakistan's geo-strategic location positions it to promote regional connectivity. He urged the countries to work together to deal with various issues such as terrorism and the Covid pandemic. He added that history has shown that progress can be attained only through an 'interconnected sense of security'.
The COAS added that national security entails aspects beyond mere protection from internal and external threats, as it now includes development and human security as well.
"Surely, it [national security] is not solely a function of the armed forces alone," he said, terming national security an 'all-encompassing notion'.
Further, the army chief said that Pakistan's geo-strategic location positions it to promote regional connectivity. He urged the countries to work together to deal with various issues such as terrorism and the Covid pandemic. He added that history has shown that progress can be attained only through an 'interconnected sense of security'.