K-P to seek Kabul’s help against extortion calls

Apex committee decides to shut down all illegal communication towers

PESHAWAR:

The top panel overseeing implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has decided to seek help from Kabul against extortionists using Afghan soil to make extortion calls in Peshawar. The apex committee also decided to shut down illegal communication towers on Pakistani soil.

“A high-level delegation will soon visit Kabul to engage with Afghan authorities to seek cooperation for the resolution of the issue,” says a statement issued by the military’s media wing after a meeting of the apex committee on Saturday. Attendees included Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, army chief General Raheel Sharif, ISI chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, Peshawar’s corps commander and officials from the Fata secretariat.



The military is combing the strategic Shawal Valley of North Waziristan Agency in the final phase of Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched in mid-June, 2014.  Intelligence-based operations, or IBOs, are also ongoing in K-P against terrorists and their facilitators.

“The forum reviewed the progress of the ongoing operation in Shawal, IBOs in the province, resettlement and return of TDPs (temporarily displaced persons] and border management at Torkham,” the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement. The committee voiced satisfaction over progress in the Shawal operation and IBOs, it added.



The meeting also decided to improve border management at all crossing points, especially at Torkham, in Khyber Agency. And for this purpose, the forum decided to enforce the existing border crossing mechanism in letter and spirit

While speaking at the meeting, the army chief paid rich tributes to people of Fata and K-P for their unwavering support. “With an unflinching resolve and courage, our proud tribesmen of Fata and people of K-P stood up to the atrocities of terrorists, pushed them back and marginalised them in society,” he said, adding that this deserves the highest of accolade.



Gen Raheel reiterated his commitment with the tribespeople that their area would be rebuilt and the entire socio-economic infrastructure revived. He appreciated harmony amongst all stakeholders/organisations involved and directed them to accelerate the pace of work and ensure its best quality.

The chief minister and governor of K-P appreciated the ‘whole-hearted support’ of Pakistan Army, and reiterated the resolve of Fata and K-P to rid the region of terrorism and extremism and pave way for development and well-being of the people.


Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2016.