RAWALPINDI, Jun 10 (APP): Commander Resolute Support Mission
in Afghanistan (CRSMA) General John Nicholson and US Special
Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (USSRAP) Ambassador
Richard Olson on Friday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters.
Regional security situation, with particular reference to
border management, peace and stability in Afghanistan in the post
May 21, US drone strike environment came under discussion, ISPR in
a news release stated.
Expressing his serious concern on the US drone strike in
Balochistan as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, COAS
highlighted as to how it had impacted the mutual trust and respect
and was counter productive in consolidating the gains of Operation
Zarb e Azb.
All efforts for durable peace in the region have to be
synergized with shared commitment and responsibility in order to
make them successful.
Chief Of Army Staff said that while Operation Zarb e Azb was launched against terrorists of all hues and sanctuaries of terrorists have been
dismantled without discrimination, all stakeholders need to
understand Pakistan’s challenges with regard to porous border,
inter tribal linkages and decades old presence of over 3 million
refugees.
Blaming Pakistan for instability in Afghanistan is
unfortunate, the statement said.
Raising the demand of targeting Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) and Mullah Fazlullah in their bases in Afghanistan, COAS
reiterated Pakistan’s resolve not to allow hostile intelligence
agencies’ efforts, especially RAW and NDS, of fomenting terrorism.
The COAS reaffirmed the need for continuing harmonized efforts
against terrorists and effective border management as ways to
regional peace and stability.
He said Pakistan is committed to work for a long term peace
process for Afghanistan under the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) framework.
