The recruitment process has already been started in this regard, he added. He said that the rules and regulations in connection with the recruitment process, would be relaxed for youths of Balochistan so that maximum people could join the Pakistan Army from this province.
The COAS said that the Balochistan Chief Minister was responsible for maintaining peace in the province and Balochistan Frontier Corps would soon be replaced with the Army battalion, deployed in Sui area of Dera Bugti district. He said there was no military operation being carried out in any part of the province. "Development and integrity of Pakistan links with the progress and prosperity of Balochistan, as this province is rich with natural resources of natural gas, oil, coal and minerals," General Kayani said, adding that there was a need of technology and skilled manpower to get benefits from these natural resources.
He said the Pakistan Army with collaboration of the Government of Balochistan, had established technical and vocational training institutes in the province to equip the local youths with knowledge of latest technology. He said that about 4,500 youths of Balochistan had completed their vocational courses at the institutes being run under the supervision of the Pakistan Army, adding that more 3600 youths of the province would join their classes at these technical institutes from this year.
He said the Pakistan Army was going to establish Army Medical College, Institute of Mineralogy and Cardiac Treatment Centre in Quetta in order to equip the Balochistan's youths with higher education in relevant fields. He said the Army Medical College would be established, besides Combined Military Hospital Quetta where students would get admission to four-year MBBS.
"During my recent visit to Taxila Heavy Complex, I was informed that 150 students hailing from Balochistan and FATA have been getting technical education there," he recalled. He said that students of Balochistan and FATA studying at the Army-run institutes would be provided jobs in National Logistic Cell, FWO and other Armed Forces' institutions.
He said the Army had been playing its role in Chamalang coal project, Kasa Hill marble project and others in order to put the economy of the country and the province of Balochistan on track of development and to make the local people prosperous. He hoped the Balochistan government would extend its co-operation to the Pakistan Army to improve natural mines and mineral resources of Dukki and Musakhail areas.
"No defence of a country can be strengthened and made undefeatable until its people cooperate with their Armed Forces in letter and spirit," he observed. Highlighting the features of the Gwadar Institute of Technology, he said that about 90 students of the province would get admission to four-month courses including boat manufacturing, auto-mechanic, carpenter and auto-electrician at TCC Wing of the institute.
He said that at GIT Wing of the institute, about 80 students of Balochistan would start their three-year courses including Industrial Electronics and Food Preservation Processing. "These students will be given free of cost facilities including hostel, food and monthly Rs 2,000 stipend," he added. Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Khan Raisani, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Javed Zia, Balochistan Ministers including Tahir Mehmood Khan, Cap Abdul Khaliq Achakzai (Retd) and Mir Shah Nawaz Mari and other officials were present on the occasion.