ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistani civilian and military leadership met in Islamabad on Friday and discussed the information provided by India about Pathankot terrorist attack, reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to cooperate with New Delhi to completely eradicate the menace of terrorism afflicting South Asia.
During the meeting which was presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the participants reviewed the regional situation and affirmed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
“In line with Pakistan’s commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the meeting reviewed the progress made on the information provided by the Government of India. It was decided to remain in touch with the Government of India in this regard,” said an official press release issued after the meeting.
The participants also expressed the confidence that building on the goodwill generated by the recent high level contacts between Pakistani and Indian leaders, the two countries would remain committed to a sustained, meaningful and comprehensive dialogue process.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, National Security Advisor Nasir Janjua, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. General Rizwan Akhtar, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and DG Military Operations.
On January 5, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Pakistani Counterpart and sought Pakistan’s assistance in investigation into the terrorist attack carried out at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Pathankot on January 2.
Sharif assured Modi that Pakistan would not hesitate to take `prompt and decisive action` if the involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the attack on the IAF base was proved beyond doubt.
The Indian External Ministry on January 7 said that India has given actionable intelligence to Pakistan that those who planned the assault came from Pakistan, and now awaiting Islamabad’s response.
“As far as we are concerned the ball is now in Pakistan’s court,” the Indian External Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup told reporters in New Delhi.
