We will defeat our enemy’s designs, says PM

Says anti-Pakistan acts will be countered; praises ISI for its achievements.

ISLAMABAD:

While voicing serious concerns over the recent irresponsible and controversial statements of the Indian leadership, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said in unequivocal terms that “we will take all possible measures to counter any anti-Pakistan acts”.

He was referring to a statement by Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who said on May 21 that New Delhi “has to neutralise terrorists through terrorists only”. Islamabad says Parrikar’s statement has confirmed that India is using terrorism as a state policy.

“We will collectively defeat all designs of our enemies and make Pakistan a secure and affluent country no matter what the cost,” Premier Nawaz said during a visit to the headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Islamabad on Saturday.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and PM’s top aides Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi accompanied him during the visit, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister House.

Islamabad has long accused India’s top spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), of bankrolling and arming terrorists in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan. The top military commanders of Pakistan have also warned the ‘hostile foreign agencies’, RAW in particular, against fuelling unrest in Pakistan.

Premier Nawaz on Saturday showed his concern over the actions of foreign intelligence agencies, in destabilising Pakistan. He described terrorism and extremism as the biggest challenges facing Pakistan and reiterated his government’s resolve to collectively defeat designs of enemies to make Pakistan secure and prosperous.

The prime minister lauded ISI’s efforts and achievements in countering attempts of terrorists. He paid rich tributes to the officers and men of the agency, who have laid down their lives in the line of duty. “We are proud of our premier intelligence agency and they deserve due recognition and acknowledgement,” he added.

Premier Nawaz emphasised the need for more proactive and coordinated role of all intelligence agencies to counter all threats. ISI chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar briefed the prime minister and the army chief on internal and external security situation of the country and ongoing counter-terrorism operations. The recent ongoing successful Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) and the number of terrorist attempts averted in the near past and the terrorist networks busted across the country as a result thereof, were discussed.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2015.