Army Chief General Raheel Sharif chairs a meeting in Karachi on April 13, 2016. PHOTO: ISPR
KARACHI:
Army chief General Raheel Sharif has said that Pakistan’s economic progress hinges on peace in Karachi and that the ultimate aim of the ongoing Rangers-led surgical operation is to make the city terror-free.
“Economic progress and economic activity is directly linked with peace in Karachi; hence a terror-free and peaceful Karachi is the ultimate aim of this operation and all efforts must be directed with a focused approach to achieve this objective,” he said on Wednesday
He was presiding over a security meeting during his visit to the Corps Headquarters in Karachi. He was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing Karachi operation, including the intelligence-based operations (IBOs), said a press statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Attendees included the corps commander and the director-generals of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Operations, Military Intelligence and Pakistan Rangers, Sindh.
Expressing his satisfaction over the pace and success of the operation, the army chief lauded the Rangers as well as intelligence and law enforcement agencies for their ‘phenomenal achievements and sacrifices’ in improving the security environment in Karachi. He also appreciated the people of Karachi for their unflinching support for the security forces.
Earlier in the morning, the army chief addressed the faculty, participants and allied officers of the Air War Course. He dilated on the current global issues, regional security environment, and Pakistan’s fight against the menace of terrorism.
He resolved to take the fight against terror to its logical end and help create an environment to embark the country on the road to development. He lauded the Pakistan Air Force’s role in supporting the army in Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Synergy achieved between air and land forces has been highly appreciable.
There is a marked decrease in every kind of terrorism and crime, particularly targeted killings, in Karachi since the beginning of the operation, which started on September 5, 2013 to purge the city of criminal elements and terrorists.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2016.
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