High-level huddle reviews security situation in Fata, Balochistan

Published May 31, 2014
Photo shows Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a high-level meeting with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Director General ISI Lt-Gen Zaheerul-Islam, and others.—APP Photo
Photo shows Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a high-level meeting with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Director General ISI Lt-Gen Zaheerul-Islam, and others.—APP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a high level meeting here on Friday to review the security situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Balochistan.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Director General ISI Lt-Gen Zaheerul-Islam, Chief of General Staff Lt-Gen Ashfaq Nadeem, Secretary to PM Javaid Aslam and Additional Secretary to PM Fawad Hasan Fawad.

Sources said the country’s overall security situation, peace talks with Taliban militants and the prime minister’s recent visit to New Delhi came under discussion during the high meeting.

According to the state-run APP news agency, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting about the status of raising of rapid response forces at the federal and provincial levels.

The meeting came as the Taliban in North Waziristan agency, led by militant commander Hafiz Gul Bahadar, revoked a longstanding peace accord with the Pakistani government.


Also read: North Waziristan Taliban revoke peace accord; tell locals to leave


According to a pamphlet distributed in the tribal agency, the Hafiz Gul Bahadar group says it is now preparing to fight against “a planned operation by the security forces”, giving locals until June 10 to leave the area and move to safety.

Security forces have pounded militant hideouts in different parts of the tribal region during the past several days, stepping up pressure on militants in the tribal region.

  COAS Gen Raheel Sharif says the Army is ready to "defeat any aggression".—ISPR photo
COAS Gen Raheel Sharif says the Army is ready to "defeat any aggression".—ISPR photo

The ‘operation’ began a day after military jets and helicopter gunships attacked suspected militants’ hideouts in Miramshah and Mirali sub-district of North Waziristan.

Key militant commanders were reported killed in airstrikes in the tribal region.

Earlier today, Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif also visited the Command and Staff College, Quetta where he addressed course participants.

The COAS said that the Pakistan Army is “fully prepared to deter and defeat any aggression across the entire spectrum of threat”, according to a press release issued by the ISPR.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...