ISLAMABAD:
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, while commenting on the statements made during the grand Jirga held in Islamabad on Saturday, said the early return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) is a priority of the government and all resources are being utilised towards this end.
“The elimination of terrorism is the main concern of the government and regulations in the aid of civil power in Fata are a step in this direction. The army is not only fighting the menace of terrorism but also helping in the rebuilding of Fata, management of IDPs and protecting rest of the country against any blowback from terrorist organisations. Any apprehensions regarding success of Zarb-e-Azb are unwarranted,” he said in a statement issued by the defence ministry.
The defence minister reiterated that the country’s armed forces are valiantly fighting terrorists of all hues and colour in North Waziristan and elsewhere in Fata, and have achieved unparalleled success in Operation Zarb-e-Azb at a very heavy cost and by rendering supreme sacrifices. He said the operation is progressing as planned and any doubts being raised by a select few about the number of terrorist killed are “mischievous and undermine the sacrifices of our army.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2014.
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