Operation Zarb-e-Azb to be completed this year, vows COAS

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday said that failure was not an option in the war against terrorism and vowed that Operation Zarb-e-Azb would be completed this year.

In an informal conversation with media at the Parliament House, the army chief reflected on the ongoing activities of the Pakistan army and said that the operation to root out terrorism was progressing successfully.

“I have earlier said that 2016 will mark the elimination of terrorism,” he said.

Gen Raheel Sharif said that 99 percent terrorism had been brought under control and that the remaining one percent would be eradicated as well.

Talking about Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the north-western FATA region, he said that the return of 56 percent IDPs has been completed.

He said that the system of governance needs to be established in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the army has assured the people of FATA that terrorists will never return to the region.

He added that long-term peace and rehabilitation of IDPs is the highest priority. 

The army chief said that drone attacks violate Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Gen Raheel Sharif said that Pakistan army’s efforts against terrorism were lauded during his recent visit to Turkey where he witnessed multinational military exercises. 

The army chief said that Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is making efforts for the resumption of the US-Pakistan deal to purchase at least eight F16 fighter jets, amounting to $700 million.

COAS meets Parliamentarians

The COAS in a visit to the Parliament House on Wednesday met with the executive parliamentarians in the capital.

The army supremo met with Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and exchanged civilities.

Gen Raheel also met with other politicians including Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi and other parliamentarians.