Controversial Pak-Afghan border part not being fenced: Sartaj

Says Daesh thwarted from gaining ground in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday said that Pakistan was not fencing the controversial portions of the Pak-Afghan border.

He said that Pakistan had thwarted Islamic State (Daesh) from gaining ground in Pakistan.Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said that the fight against terrorism was continuing successfully and terrorism incidents had decreased by 70 percent.

He said that now Operation Raddul Fasaad was underway to eliminate terrorism across the country. He said Pakistan believed in the policy of going after terrorists without any discrimination.

He expressed the hope that improved security and relationship between Islamabad and Washington. He called for more dialogue and communication at all levels between Pakistan and the United States.

Sartaj Aziz said that cooperation between the two countries was vital to defeat the menace of terrorism and bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region. Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador David Hale stressed the need for enhanced cooperation on shared national interests to benefit the people of both the countries.

He said these shared interests included fighting terrorism, fostering economic growth, investment and building a more stable and prosperous region including Afghanistan. He said the United States greatly acknowledged Pakistan’s great sacrifices in this regard. The ambassador said PAK-US relationships were very resilient and Pakistan’s success was of great strategic interest to the United States.