Punjab Rangers have begun covert operations against banned organisations, army chief tells PM

Top civil, military leadership vows to continue ongoing Karachi operation

As the military ups the ante against terror outfits, Army chief General Raheel Sharif informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday that the Punjab Rangers have started covert operations against banned organisations in Punjab.

“As part of internal security measures, the ongoing phase of Karachi operation, ‘Pur Amn Balochistan’ and law and order situation in Punjab following the killing of provincial home minister Shuja Khanzada came under discussion between the two,” sources told The Express Tribune.

While the premier and army chief agreed that the modus operandi of sectarian outfits operating in Punjab is different from Taliban, the army chief said Punjab Rangers have started under-cover operations in Punjab against terrorists under NAP, the source added.

Read: Karachi operation ‘to go on come what may’

Vowing to continue the critical phase of the ongoing Karachi operation to curb terror financing in the country, the civil-military leadership agreed that only courts will decide the fate of those arrested during the operation regardless of their political affiliation.

The army chief also apprised the prime minister about his recent meetings with foreign dignitaries including US National Security Adviser Susan Rice and US Special Assistant to President Obama for South Asian Affairs Dr Peter Lavoy.

Read: Top civil-military huddle 'finalises agenda' of India dialogue

Although Rice met both PM and the army chief, the delegation led by Dr Lavoy held a meeting with only General Raheel. “During the meeting, the Afghan reconciliation process was discussed comprehensively,” the source said.

“General Raheel informed PM Nawaz about the road map for the resumption of reconciliation process which was agreed at the meeting between army chief and US delegation,” the source further said.

The second round peace talks between Afghan Taliban and the government in Kabul were suspended following the news of Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar’s death and a recent wave of terrorist attacks in Kabul.