Monday May 25, 2015
Kabul (BNA) Acting Defense Minister, Mohammad Masoom Stanikzai, first deputy to the ministry, Gen. Abdul Khaliq and chief of army staff, Gen. Qadam Shah was introduced by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to the personnel of the Ministry and assumed their work yesterday, BNA reported.
Addressing the ceremony, President Ghani as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces said he was proud of the bravery and achievements of the security forces, saying anyone overlooks the capability of the country’s national security forces would be the loser.
He also issued directive to increase the perk and privilege of the martyrs of the national army personnel on emergency basis. The President also directed the acting defense minister to establish a trust fund in coordination with international agencies to help the families of the martyrs and injured of the national security forces. “We are against war, but the war has been imposed on us,” the President said, adding “We want lasting peace but in the meantime we would respond punch with punch.”
The national security forces, people and the government are united in defending the country, the President said, adding “We want lasting and honorable peace, because honorable peace guarantees the country’s national interests.” President Ghani also noted, “We need two kinds of peace and one is with the neighboring Pakistan, because this country is in an undeclared war with us.” Expressing trust to the personnel of the national security forces, the President said that no Afghans would be hired by the foreign intelligence agencies and also called upon Afghans to stand alongside security forces of the country.
