The COAS and PM are dedicated to tackle terrorism in the country. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD: Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the chief of army staff Raheel Sharif discussed the country's national defence and security matters during a meeting on Wednesday, reported Radio Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif‚ Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan‚ Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt General Zaheerul Islam and DG Military Operations Major-General Aamer Riaz.
The meeting comes amid whispers of a full blown military operation in the tribal areas. Already during this week, the military has pounded targets with jets and helicopter gunships.
Earlier on Wednesday, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan informed the National Assembly that the present government has made a major shift in its policy towards tackling terrorism.
The interior minister said that since former president Pervez Musharraf’s era, the security forces would respond to any terror attack in the area where it had occurred, but under the new policy, the forces will respond by targeting militants in their hideouts.
The premier and COAS met earlier this month to discuss similar issues that related to national security and overall law and order situation in the country.
On January 24, the government decided in principle to launch a military operation against anti-state groups.
The government decided during a high-level meeting, chaired by Nawaz Sharif, on internal security following a wave of deadly bombings in the country.
At the meeting, the government was informed by the country’s military leadership that “a full-fledged operation in the tribal areas” is required to curb sectarian violence and terrorism, officials told The Express Tribune.
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@confused:
The civilian Government should be asked to surrender their foreign passports!
Rex Minor
General Raheel Shareef has given the much needed confidence to Pakistan. His body language and practical steps are reassuring a worried nation. I am sure Pakistan army will never disappoint its Nation by God's grace. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif too shouldn't look too sad on the TV. He should also wear a confident smile on his face to reassure his nation.