Enemies stoking terror to destabilise Pakistan, says COAS

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, on Wednesday said the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb will ensure peace in Pakistan and beyond and terrorists will not be allowed to re-establish themselves.
Gen Raheel Sharif, who is on an official visit to Italy, while giving Pakistan’s perspectives on international security at the Center of International Study, Rome, said Zarb-e-Azb is a comprehensive concept against terrorism.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS reiterated that Pakistan is fighting out terrorists for regional peace and major operations are progressing well. The COAS emphasised that for the world, terrorism is a conflict but for Pakistan it is a war for survival.
“Our enemies are stoking terror to destabilise our country but we are determined to defeat their designs,” he added.He said terrorism had attacked our common roots, and being a trans-boundary phenomenon, it needs global response and support.
“Only together we can win this war against terrorism,” he added.He said that a comprehensive resettlement and rebuilt plan was in place for affected areas and better border coordination mechanism with Afghanistan will be ensured.
The COAS said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are uniquely, inseparably placed. “Peace in one country is not possible without peace in another and Pakistan has shown sincere efforts for reconciliation.”General Raheel Sharif appreciated that the international community acknowledges Pakistan’s efforts for reconciliation.
He said that detractors should not be allowed who are challenging both Pakistan and Afghanistan as dividends of peace and prosperity is for all.The COAS talk was widely accepted and appreciated by the audience, intelligentsia and senators.