PM, COAS for elimination of all threats to national security

Published October 16, 2015
Zarb-i-Azb, Karachi operation and overall security situation was discussed in the meeting attended by PM and COAS─ APP/File
Zarb-i-Azb, Karachi operation and overall security situation was discussed in the meeting attended by PM and COAS─ APP/File

ISLAMABAD: Senior civil and military leadership on Friday agreed to allocate more resources to counter emerging security threats to the country and also expressed satisfaction over the progress of the anti-terror operation Zarb-i-Azb.

A high-level meeting to review the overall security situation of the country chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also discussed the ongoing operation in Karachi, situation in Afghanistan and security along the Pak-Afghan border, a statement released from Prime Minieter House said.

The meeting was also attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Director General Inetr-Services Public Relations Lt. General Asim Saleem Bajwa and other senior officials.

Related: Pakistan spent $1.9bn on Zarb-i-Azb, TDPs' return from own resources: FO

Military operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched in North Waziristan on June 15 following a brazen militant attack on Karachi's international airport and the failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators.

Authorities have since vowed to intensify operations, using air strikes, artillery and mortars to take back territory both in the border regions and other parts of the country.

COAS on the other hand, briefed the meeting about his recent visit to Turkey where he held a series of meetings with Turkish civil and military leadership.

The participants of the meeting were unanimous that Pakistan's stance on strategic issues would effectively be presented and discussed during PM Nawaz Sharif's upcoming visit to the United States and meetings with President Obama US officials.

PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz on October 14 told reporters in Islamabad that Mr Sharif would discuss the stalled dialogue between Pakistan and India with the US president along with a number of other issues during the visit.

The prime minister and his team will meet US Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department and will also address a think-tank, the US Institute of Peace.

Related: PM’s US trip to be marked by tense diplomacy

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