WASHINGTON: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said the phenomenon of militant organisation Islamic State (IS) will not be allowed in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
General Raheel Sharif, has categorically stated that the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation targets all militants without any discrimination and that it is aimed at defeating the menace of terrorism squarely.
He said Pakistan is taking decisive and indiscriminate action against Taliban militants including the Haqqani network.
“I would like to openly say that this (operation) is against all hues and colors, and it is without any discrimination, whether it is Haqqani network or TTP or anything,” he said.
Gen. Sharif was speaking at a reception hosted by Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani in honor of the visiting military delegation, and was attended by senior American officials from the State and Defense departments including U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Dan Feldman.
The army chief said the Zarb-e-Azb operation has been launched with great commitment and sincerity after consultations with the political government and backing of the entire nation, which is proud of the army’s achievements in the fight against terror.
Zarb-e-Azb, he said, is not just a military offensive but is a concept to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The anti-terror campaign is not restricted to Waziristan and Khyber tribal areas but covers the whole country, he said.
Gen. Sharif saw close counterterrorism cooperation in the months ahead between Pakistan and Afghanistan under the administration of new President Ashraf Ghani and was confident of progress towards establishing peace and stability in the region.
“The phenomenon of IS will not be allowed in Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the army chief said.
He also expressed satisfaction with his visit to the United States and said he had very good meetings with his counterparts on military-to-military relationship.
In his remarks, Ambassador Jilani referred to Pakistan’s determined fight against terror and improving Pakistan-Afghanistan relations at an important time for the region and said the developments require closer Pakistan-U.S. cooperation.
“On the one hand things are looking up, new challenges are also emerging which require good cooperation between our two countries”.
The ambassador said the defense relations are an important component of the wide-ranging Pakistan-U.S. relationship.
In a brief interaction with the media, US Special Representative Dan Feldman said that the Army Chief had constructive and positive meetings during his visit.
Meanwhile, Pakistani army chief discussed military relations and regional security issues including Afghanistan with U.S. lawmakers belonging to Senate Foreign Relations, Intelligence and Armed Services committees from Pakistan’s perspective.
The Pakistani delegation emphasized the position to have relations with India on the basis of dignity and respect. Pakistan’s ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani accompanied the delegation to meetings at the Pentagon and the Capitol Hill.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
