ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan and the United States (US) should focus on rebuilding trust in order to make counter-terrorism operations successful and to ensure effective policing on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border.
Talking to reporters, the minister said that Pakistan had given a lot of sacrifices in the war against terrorism and the country would take steps against militant networks by sharing actionable intelligence with the US, and vice versa. He did make it clear though that Pakistan would not accept India’s security role in the region.
Replying to a query, the defence minister said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government would continue working for the welfare of the country by ensuring economic progress and smooth democratic transition.
The PML-N under the dynamic leadership and vision of Nawaz Sharif had addressed the challenges of terrorism and energy, he said.
Dastagir further said that the present government had restored peace in Karachi, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa by giving a go-ahead to operation Zarb-e-Azb. Operation Radal Fasaad would completely eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country, he added.
He said that the PML-N government had initiated work on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for the benefit of the people of Pakistan.
He also said that the present government would complete its constitutional tenure, adding that the next general elections would be conducted in a free and transparent manner.
Replying to another question, he said that the PML-N was fully united under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, adding that the party would contest 2018 polls on the basis of its performance.
The minister said that political stability in the country was imperative for increasing employment, investment/business opportunities and prosperity in Pakistan.
