The army has decided to pull the country out of the current crisis, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said on Monday.

“No power in the world can stop us from progressing,” he said in his address after inaugurating the Khanewal Model Agricultural Farm at an event on Monday.

The Khanewal Model Agriculture Farm is a flagship project of Green Pakistan Initiative under which the federal government aims to introduce the latest farming on 4.4 million acres of land across the country

Federal Minister for National Food and Security Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema was the chief guest. The ceremony was also attended by the Punjab chief minister, government officials, agricultural experts, notable farmers and senior army officials.

“Pakistan Army takes pride in serving its nation,” said the army chief said and highlighted the military’s dedication to the welfare of the people. “The army belonged to the people, and the people belonged to the army,” he said and emphasised the strong bond between the armed forces and the civilians.

The inauguration of flagship farm was undertaken to ensure that Pakistan not only becomes food secure, it also produces enough surplus for exports, thereby contributing towards the national economy, said an official statement

Agriculture experts including those from field crops, orchard, specialty corps, textile and livestock sectors appreciated the government’s “wholeheartedness and Pakistan army’s assistance towards revolutionising” the agriculture sector.

“We have decided to take Pakistan out of the current crisis,” COAS Munir added as the country according to many experts was going through a difficult economic phase despite the International Monetary Fund’s economic lifeline.

He added that Pakistanis were a “proud, zealous and talented” nation and stressed the need for throwing away the begging bowl. “Allah has bestowed Pakistan with numerous resources.”

He was hopeful of an agricultural revolution in Pakistan, adding that similar modern farms would be established across the country. He was of the view that it would benefit small farmers.

The scope of this green initiative will be expanded to the whole of Pakistan, the COAS said.

COAS Gen Munir went on to add that the state was like a “mother” and the relationship between the people and the state was of “love and respect”. He added that security and economy go hand in hand as he highlighted the interdependency of each other for progress.

The participants hailed the event and the presence of experts, government representatives, academia, Industry and potential investors at the event. They appreciated the efforts of setting up a state-of-the-art farm in a short time and introducing a new level of agriculture in Pakistan.

While interacting with the participants, the COAS vowed to extend all-out support to the government for the ‘Green Pakistan Initiative’ and bringing about Agri reforms.

Cheema also addressed the ceremony and later inaugurated the Model Farm and appreciated the efforts made by the FonGrow Management towards the establishment of the mechanised and technologically advanced farm which will be a role model for others to follow.