Nation proud of ISI and its men: PM

Nawaz says premier intelligence agency has countless successes to its credit deserving recognition; govt and nation stand behind their valiant armed forces and intelligence agencies; General Raheel says terrorists are externally funded and internally facilitated

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said the entire nation was truly proud of its premier intelligence agency, the ISI, and its officers and men who had countless successes to their credit which truly merit due recognition and acknowledgement.

He expressed these views in a high-level meeting held at the ISI headquarters here.Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt. Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Director General ISI Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar Malik, Director General ISPR Lt. Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa and some other senior officials were also present.

In his observations, Nawaz reiterated that the government and the nation stood behind their valiant armed forces and intelligence gathering agencies in the fight for the country. “We shall collectively defeat all designs of our enemies and make Pakistan a secure and prosperous country.”

He highly appreciated the army and intelligence gathering agencies for achieving major breakthroughs and bringing a noticeable change in the security environment of the country.

He paid rich tributes to brave officers and men of the army and intelligence agencies who had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, becoming a beacon of guidance for the whole nation.The prime minister lauded the services and the role of the ISI for protecting the national interest.

General Raheel Sharif emphasized that terrorists were externally funded and internally facilitated. He also underscored the need for continued efforts across the country in consolidating gains made in Operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing intelligence based operations (IBOs) in various parts of the country to ensure permanent and sustainable peace in the motherland.

It was the third consecutive day that the civil and military leadership was interacting on different occasions.The meeting was highly significant, as it was the second of its kind since the new military leadership has assumed its assignments. It indicates that the leadership on both sides has complete harmony on domestic as well external threat perceptions.

The sources told The News late Thursday evening that the meeting took stock of the overall operation against terrorists and enemies of the country from various dimensions.The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in its release said a high level security meeting was held at the ISI headquarters.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif attended the meeting and reviewed the entire internal and external threat spectrum including terrorists’ networks and their linkages.

The role of hostile intelligence agencies and their collaborators in fomenting instability in Pakistan and undermining its interests was discussed in detail.Management of Pak-Afghan border, including the way forward, was also discussed during the meeting.

The participants, while discussing the Balochistan situation, expressed satisfaction over curbing insurgents and restoration of peace and order considerably in the province.The observers are hoping a big push in efforts for elimination of anti-state elements, terrorists and their facilitators.