The Express Tribune

Amid escalating tension between the two nuclear-tipped states, Commander Southern Command Lt General Amir Riaz on Tuesday invited India to join the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and ‘share the fruits of future development by shelving the anti-Pakistan activities and subversion’.Speaking at an awards distribution ceremony at Balochistan FC Headquarters, he said that India should shun enmity with Pakistan and join the CPEC along with Iran, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries and enjoy its benefits.He said Balochistan was on the path to economic development and the common people could not be misled by the self-exiled leaders.“Their catchy slogans will not work because the people are aware of their designs and they cannot be misled,” Lt General Amir Riaz said.He praised services of the FC personnel in the fight against terrorism and subversion in Balochistan saying that around 700 FC personnel had laid down their lives defending the country.The commander said that Balochistan has faced terrorism and subversion on a huge scale during the past 10 years and the militants have imposed their ideology on the common people.Lt Gen Amir Riaz said that the FC and its personnel have fought back separatist elements bravely and have lost around 700 lives in fighting foreign-sponsored terror and subversion, adding that the FC would continue to fight enemies of the country in future with equal courage.He further said that the enemy could not see Balochistan developing and moving towards prosperity.He said Pakistan and its neighbouring countries could benefit from CPEC projects while the people can enjoy peace and stability by cooperating with the FC.Published in, December 21, 2016.