ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence was informed on Monday that the US had assured Pakistan of killing the top Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah or arresting him alive. The sources said Defence Secretary Lt General (retd) Alam Khattak told the Senate committee that the US has assured Pakistan of full cooperation to arrest or kill Mullah Fazlullah. The defence secretary was giving in-camera briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Defence on the Pak-US Strategic Dialogue and visit of Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to the United States. Senator Mushahid Husain Sayed, chairman of the Senate committee chaired the meeting. Lt General (R) Alam Khattak further said that the US drone also hit hideout of Mullah Fazalullah but the Taliban’s top leader escaped the attack unhurt. The committee members were also informed that America was apprised of India’s involvement in sabotage acts in Pakistan and in this connection, some evidences were also provided to the US officials. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Senate secretariat said that Chairman and members of the Committee appreciated the stance taken by the Ministry of Defence handling delicate military affairs with US. The Committee paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of Armed forces and the success of operation Zarb-e-Azb, as a result of which Pak-Afghan ties have witnessed improvement. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan, the ministry informed, are on the same page regarding stern action to be taken against terrorists especially after the attack on the Army Public School, Peshawar. The ministry apprised the meeting that during the recent dialogue, the government effectively highlighted Pakistan’s point of view on the matter. At the outset, the Committee offered Fateha for late King Abdullah and offered condolences to the Saudi Royal Family. Senator Mushahid, in his remarks, eulogized services of late King Abdullah and termed his death a great loss to the Muslim Ummah as he had worked with zeal and devotion for the unity of Muslims. Senator Mushahid Husain Sayed observed the Late King, was a great friend to Pakistan and helped Pakistan in the hour of need. He added that the national security of Pakistan is of paramount significance and unanimity of opinion exists among all shades of opinion in this regard. Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain proposed that one Army Public School (APS) each be named after the Shuhadas of APS, Peshawar. The proposal was unanimously agreed upon by the members of the Committee. The Committee decided to write a letter to the Ministry of Defence for taking necessary action in this regard. The meeting was attended amongst others by Senators Mrs. Sehar Kamran, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Col. (R) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Farhatullah Babar and other high-ranking officials of the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs.
