CSF a cooperative arrangement for common objectives: Pak embassy spokesman

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Pakistan embassy in the United States spokesman Nadeem Hotiana said that the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) is one of the many cooperative arrangements between Pakistan and the US to pursue common objectives.

The spokesman said that these reimbursements enable the US to support Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in a manner that serves shared interests of both the countries. Under this arrangement, both countries continue to work closely to build on the gains achieved over the past years that have improved security in the tribal areas, he said.

Over the past decade, Pakistan has conducted a large number of military operations that have sequentially dismantled and destroyed terrorist infrastructure on its side on the international border with Afghanistan, he said, adding that the latest of these major operations, Operation Zarb-e-Azb, has been a resounding success and it has cleared North Waziristan – the last bastion of militant networks – from terrorists of all affiliations. This decade-long effort in Pakistan has caused 60,000 fatalities, including 6,000 security forces personnel involved in the operations, the spokesman said.

Pakistan will continue its fight against terrorism and ensure that areas cleared by the security forces do not slide back in to the control of terrorist networks, he said.

He further said that senior members of the Congress and representatives of the media visited the areas cleared from terrorists’ control and observed the gains made in these operations as well as the development work underway, including projects undertaken in partnership with the US for restoration of normal life in the affected areas.

Pakistan will continue to work with its partners in a long-term effort for ensuring security and stability in these areas, he added.