Pakistan

UN diplomats, envoys from friendly nations visit North Waziristan

This was the first time that diplomats and representatives of UN agencies were taken to North Waziristan

Kamran Yousaf January 16, 2015

This was the first time that diplomats and representatives of UN agencies were taken to North Waziristan. PHOTO: ISPR

ISLAMABAD:

The military on Thursday took a delegation of ambassadors and senior diplomats from ‘friendly countries’ to North Waziristan, widely considered as Pakistan’s frontline in the fight against terrorism.

Envoys from the US, Afghanistan, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and Argentina, and representatives of the United Nations mission in Pakistan, UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) travelled to the restive tribal agency to get a first-hand account of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

This was the first time that diplomats and representatives of UN agencies were taken to North Waziristan.

According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the visiting dignitaries were briefed in detail by the operational commander of the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb on the ‘unprecedented successes’ achieved in the offensive. The delegation was taken around captured and destroyed terrorist hideouts, improvised explosive device-making factories, tunnels, suicide bomber training centres and recovered arms and ammunition, it said.

“The delegation lauded the efforts and resolve of Pakistani nation and the army in their fight against terrorism and paid rich tributes to martyrs for their sacrifices to bring peace and stability in the region,” the ISPR statement added.

A government official told The Express Tribune that the purpose of the visit was to update diplomats and UN agencies about the progress so far achieved in the fight against terrorism.

He said the visit would help friendly countries understand the financial and other support Pakistan may need for the rehabilitation of people displaced by the operation.

During the recent visit, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced financial assistance of $250 million for the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

However, the official said, Pakistan would require much more assistance for the IDPs. According to the federal government’s estimates, as many as $2 billion may be needed for this purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2015.