War on terror complex, will have to remain steadfast: COAS

Says foreign agencies funding terrorists; chairs corps commanders conference

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday said terrorists are being funded externally by hostile intelligence agencies and have their sympathisers at home who provide them shelter and refuge but nefarious designs of enemies would be defeated.

“Pakistan has achieved significant successes in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, but this war against terrorism is complex and requires steadfast and unified response. Terrorists are being funded externally by hostile intelligence agencies and have their sympathisers at home who provide them shelter and refuge,” said General Raheel Sharif, while addressing the corps commanders conference here.

He was confident that resilience of the whole nation and professionalism of security forces are the country’s real assets. “I am optimistic that we will succeed in bringing an enduring peace in Pakistan,” he said.The COAS reiterated that nefarious designs of enemies will be foiled, and terrorists will be defeated from Pakistan’s soil.

The corps commanders conference took a holistic review of internal and regional security situation, including reconciliation in Afghanistan and security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Participants discussed the importance of timely and dignified return of internally displaced persons.The COAS reiterated that all efforts and resources would be employed to bring about lasting stability and socio-economic revival for prosperity and well-being of the displaced people of affected areas.