Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Wednesday that terrorism is a “war of survival for Pakistan” while it remains a “conflict for the rest of the world”.
In a series of tweets, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa quoted the army chief saying that Pakistan’s enemies are stoking terror to destabalise the country.
The tweets come a day after General Sharif was presented the guard of honour by Italy’s military at their headquarters. Gen Sharif is currently on a three-day official visit to Italy where he met his Italian counterpart and discussed military relations, defence cooperation and training.
The army chief highlighted Pakistan’s perspective on international security at the Centre of Internation Study in Rome which was widely accepted and appreciated by the audience comprising senators and members of the intelligence.
Another tweet by Gen Bajwa said that the international community acknowledges Pakistan for its efforts to eradicate terrorism. With regard to relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the army chief described the relationship as “uniquely inseparable”.
Commenting on the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Gen Sharif said that it is a “comprehensive concept against terrorism and would ensure that Pakistan would be freed from terror”. Further, he assured that progress was made in several operations across the country. He also added that the operation would ensure peace in Pakistan and in regions beyond, adding that terrorists would not be able to re-establish strongholds in the region.
