Army chief says political and military leadership united on ‘comprehensive’ NAP against terrorism
Says all terrorists group being targeted without discrimination
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday said that the National Action Plan (NAP) was sufficient for the long term resolution of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan, adding that resolving the Kashmir issue was the key to achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.
The civil and military leadership is committed to rooting out terrorism from Pakistan, said the chief of army staff who is on a three-day visit to UK.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asim Bajwa tweeted on Friday that the army chief spoke at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.
The general reportedly said that Pakistan desired peace, “but with dignity and honour”.
Commenting on NAP devised to counter terrorism and extremism in the country, the army chief said it is a long-term, comprehensive plan and that the government was doing its best to implement it.
Moreover, he said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb initiated against terrorists was making good progress and several areas had been cleansed of terrorists. He clarified that all kinds of terrorists were being targeted without discrimination.
Regarding Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours, the COAS said that relations with Afghanistan were improving.
He urged the international community to understand Pakistan’s environment.
While seeking help from the UK in the dignified resettlement of people displaced due to the operation in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency, the general said that cooperation with UK in security and social sectors was growing.
General Sharif also visited Royal Military Academy and Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
Presenting Pakistan’s determination to work against security challenges and terrorism, the COAS said, “The Peshawar massacre has united the whole nation.”
During his visit to London’s Royal Military Academy, the army chief met Pakistani cadets who were under-training at the academy. He urged Pakistani cadets to become team leaders and to bring honour to the country.
The Pakistani High Commission in London also held a reception in the army chief’s honour in which British Defence Minister Michael Falcon, members of parliament Lord Tariq Mehmood, Saeeda Warsi, Lord Nazir Ahmad, Khalid Mehmood and members of European parliament Dr Sajjad Kareem and Amjad Bashir and leaders of the local Pakistani community participated.