ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Thursday emphasized that terrorists are externally funded and internally facilitated.
The army chief made these remarks in a high level security meeting held at the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in Islamabad on Thursday, and at which action across the country against terrorism was reviewed and certain important decisions were taken.
The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and National Security Advisor Lt General (retd) Nasser Janjua.
During the meeting, the entire internal and external threat spectrum including terrorists’ networks and their linkages was reviewed.
The role of hostile intelligence agencies and their collaborators in fomenting instability in Pakistan and underming Pakistan’s interests was also discussed in detail. Moreover, the management of Pak-Afghan border including way forward also came under discussion.
In his remarks, the COAS also underscored the need for continued efforts across the country in consolidating gains made in operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing intelligence based operations (IBOs) to ensure a permanent and sustainable peace in the country.
On the occasion, the prime minister highly appreciated the efforts and achievements of Army and intelligence agencies in achieving major break throughs and bringing a noticeable change in the security environment of the country.
The prime minister also paid tributes to the valiant officers and men of Army and intelligence agencies who had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Sharif said that entire nation is truly proud of its premier intelligence agency ISI, its officers and men who have countless successes on their name which truly merit due recognition and acknowledgement.
The prime minister reiterated that the government and the nation stands behind its armed forces and intelligence agencies in the fight and expressed the resolve that we will collectively defeat all designs of our enemies to make Pakistan a secure and prosperous country.
