Pakistan not to accept any pressure on Kulbhushan issue

COAS, naval chief, interior minister call on PM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided in principle not to accept any pressure on the issue of death sentence awarded to Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav for his role in terror incidents in the country.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House. During the meeting, matters pertaining to professional preparedness of the Pakistan Army and the current security and border situation of the country came under discussion. The army chief also apprised the PM of the progress made in the ongoing Operation Raddul Fasaad.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the gains of Operation Raddul Fasaad and appreciated the role of the armed forces of Pakistan for their matchless sacrifices towards the national goal of achieving peace in the country.Later, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), also called on Nawaz Sharif at the PM House and apprised him of professional matters pertaining to the Pakistan Navy.

The premier said the Pakistan Navy has a significantly vital position in the national defence. Appreciating the role of the Pakistan Navy in defending the maritime borders of the country, he said the government is taking all possible steps to further enhance the professional capacities of the Pakistan Navy.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also called on the prime minister and briefed him on his meeting with secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) with particular reference to the blasphemous material which has been making rounds on the social media for the last few weeks.

Nawaz Sharif gave his go-ahead for convening of the OIC special ministerial summit in Islamabad to present a unanimous stand by the Muslim Ummah on blasphemous material.The prime minister said that love and appreciation for the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is a part of our faith and asked the minister to ensure that all perpetrators were brought to justice without any exception.

Chaudhry Nisar also briefed the prime minister on the exceptional contribution of the work force of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in development of the defence industry of the country and their vital role for the armed forces of Pakistan in protecting the motherland. The minister also referred to the historical role of the POF workforce during the 1965 and 1971 wars. He apprised the prime minister that his incentive package for the POF employees, announced at the time of his visit, has not been implemented so far.

The premier constituted a committee, headed by the minister for defence production and comprising minister for interior and minister for finance, to formulate and present the final recommendations within one week.