Pakistan

PM chairs high-level meeting to discuss national, regional security

Source says NSA Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua briefed premier about the evidence handed over by India

Abdul Manan January 07, 2016

Consultation takes place in the backdrop of Saudi foreign minister’s forthcoming visit and Pathankot incident. PHOTO: PID/FILE

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, reportedly discussed evidence provided by India regarding a recent attack on an Indian Air Force (IAF) base near Pakistan’s border.

The meeting, which was held at PM’s House, was held to discuss matters relating to national and regional security.

“National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua briefed the premier about the evidence handed over by India following a deadly assault on the Indian Air Force base near Pakistan border,” a source told The Express Tribune.

“Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar also updated PM Nawaz about the latest updates and status of banned outfits particularly Jaish-e-Mohammed, which allegedly carried out the attack at the Pathankot air base,” the source added.

Nawaz assures Modi of ‘prompt, decisive’ action

Earlier, Pakistan assured India it would take “prompt and decisive” action against groups and individuals who might be linked to the brazen attack on IAF base. The assurance came from Prime Minister Nawaz during a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday, according to separate statements issued by the two sides.

Modi strongly emphasised the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against organisations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot attack. “Specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan,” the Indian statement further said. It added that PM Nawaz assured Modi his government would take prompt and decisive action against terrorists.

Modi urges Pakistan to take ‘immediate action’ after base attack

Indian media claimed all six attackers had sneaked in from across the border and were members of the banned Jaish-e-Muhammad militant group; although an umbrella of Kashmiri militant groups, United Jihad Council, claimed responsibility on Monday.

Thursday’s high-meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Tariq Fatemi, National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary and Director General Investigation Bureau Aftab Sultan.

COMMENTS (3)

Disgusting | 8 years ago | Reply @S.R.H. Hashmi: Nawaz Sharif does not approve of people who are cleverer than himself except when he or she is a relation. You speak like Modi. Leave the facilitators of terror alone. You can't be a Pakistani.

Ajay | 8 years ago | Reply @S.R.H. Hashmi: I agree with you. Sharif did gain a lot of weight ever since he became the PM.

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S.R.H. Hashmi | 8 years ago | Reply Having completed half of his term successfully, and his confrontation with the army seemingly over, Nawaz Sharif appears to have gained lot of confidence, and weight, especially in the mid-region, which are clearly visible in the photograph accompanying the report. And while discussing the national and regional issues, Nawaz Sharif should also concentrate on the political situation within the country. He should make it a point to tell Chaudhry Nisar clearly to concentrate a bit less on MQM and Peoples Party leadership and more on the terrorist outfits, especially Jaish Mohamamed which is alleged by India to be behind the Pathankot airbase attack. Nawaz Sharif should tell Chaudhry Nisar in no uncertain terms that he should leave his whims, fancies and prejudices aside and concentrate on what is his real job, and to seriously follow up the information provided by India otherwise the little window of opportunity which opened recently promising improvement in relations with India would be shut firmly and finally. As it is, the worsening of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran following Saudi extreme act of beheading Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr is likely to create complications in Pakistan. In these circumstances, deliberately worsening the political climate in Karachi and Sindh is hardly advisable. Nawaz Sharif should tell Chaudhry Nisar to muster a bit of courage and take on the terrorist outfits without further delay. And if, as it appears, Chaudhry Nisar is totally incapable of doing that job, Nawaz Sharif should himself pick up some courage and find a suitable replacement for him. The timidity of both of them in handling real challenges is adding enormously to Pakistan’s woes. Karachi

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