PM, COAS agree to continue operation against terrorists, criminals

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday reiterated their resolve to continue the operation against criminals and terrorists across the country to optimally utilise the environment created due to the phenomenal successes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
The prime minister assured General Raheel his fullest support to the ongoing operation of the army against criminals and terrorists. It was announced by the PM House after a conspicuously-significant meeting between the prime minister and the army chief here. The prime minister and the COAS met face-to-face for the first time after the tirade against the military by the PPP leader, former president Asif Zardari, on June 16 here in Islamabad. The army chief was on a visit to Russia and the prime minister spoke to him on phone in Moscow after calling off his scheduled meeting with the PPP leader due to displeasure about his outburst. The PPP leader was to meet the premier the same afternoon on his own request.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also joined the meeting briefly. The meeting between the prime minister and COAS lasted for more than two hours and the latter briefed the prime minister on his visit to Russia and his important meetings with the leaders of that country and his Russian counterpart. Pakistan and Russia have decided to enhance their cooperation in various fields of defence as the result of the visit by General Raheel.
Highly-placed sources having access to the meeting told The News on condition of anonymity that the statement of the PPP leader and subsequent clarifications made by the party leaders also figured in the conversation. Both were annoyed about it and the invective of the PPP leader was discarded with contempt. Officially no word has been given about the expression of their sentiments in the statement.
The PM House stated that the meeting reviewed internal and external security situation of the country in addition to discussing the progress of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.It was reiterated that Zarb-e-Azb would be taken to its logical conclusion, regardless of the cost, and terrorists and criminals would be hunted down indiscriminately.
The prime minister, while lauding the gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in Fata, said the nation was proud of its valiant armed forces and highly values the sacrifices rendered by officers and men in the fight against terrorism.
Nawaz assured the army chief that the government would not brook any criticism or tolerate any statement or remarks against the armed forces. In addition to the progress of the offensive, which was launched in June last year, the internal and external security situation of the country also came under discussion. The sources said that developments taking place across the eastern and western borders were also discussed in the meeting. They expressed the resolve that Pakistan would keep a vigilant eye on Indian moves and activities of its terror sponsoring outfit, RAW. The situation in Afghanistan was also reviewed and the two were of the full understanding that Pakistan would continue to support efforts for bringing about stability in the neighbouring country.