RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Monday that the nexus between drug dealers, financiers and perpetrators of terrorism will be broken.

Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif issued the statement while visiting the headquarters of the Anti-Narcotic Force (ANF) where he was given a detailed briefing of the various aspects of ANF's counter drug smuggling operations by Director General (DG) ANF Major General Khawar Hanif.

During the briefing, General Khawar apprised the COAS of the international and regional drug situation and its negative effects on society. He also talked about ANF’s strategy and efforts to ensure a "drug free society", the challenges faced and the Five Years Force Development Plan.

General Raheel said drug peddlers and those involved in its production are as detrimental to national security as terrorists. He added that drug money is being used for the promotion of terrorism and it is therefore important that drug dealers are dealt with iron hands.

"We will break the nexus between drug dealers, financiers and perpetrators of terrorism," said General Raheel. "We will not allow these drug barons to negatively influence and spoil our future generations."

General Raheel appreciated ANF’s endeavors that saw a record number of drug seizures in 2014 and 2015. He also valued the achievements of the force in earning Pakistan the status of a poppy-free nation.

Regional stability

A view of the meeting between General Raheel Sharif and US Deputy under Secretary Ms Heidi Grant.— Photo courtesy www.ispr.gov.pk

Earlier, Ms Heidi Grant, US Deputy under Secretary called on General Raheel Sharif during which matters of mutual interest including regional stability were discussed.

COAS calls on PM Nawaz

General Raheel Sharif called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today at PM House to discuss the overall security situation in the country, a spokesman for the premier said.

The spokesperson further said that the army chief and PM Nawaz also discussed the Afghan reconciliation process while focusing on the regional situation during the meeting.

The first round of talks brokered by Pakistan between representatives of the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban concluded last month in Murree, with both parties agreeing to meet again.

Take a look: First round of Afghan govt, Taliban dialogue concludes in Murree

During the talks, both sides had presented their stances on the prevailing situation in Afghanistan and how progress could be made.

The Foreign Office spokesman had said the participants exchanged views on ways and means to bring peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Both major parties agreed that for lasting peace in the region, each side would approach the process with sincerity and full commitment.