ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Friday discussed the Pathankot incident and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to cooperate with India to completely eliminate terrorism afflicting the region.
In line with Pakistan’s commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the meeting reviewed progress made on the information provided by the government of India. It was decided to remain in touch with the government of India in this regard.
The meeting expressed the confidence that building on the goodwill generated by the recent high-level contacts, the two countries would remain committed to a sustained, meaningful and comprehensive dialogue process. The meeting affirmed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
It was noted with satisfaction that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign had made significant gains and that Pakistan’s entire leadership and institutions were working in complete harmony to counter terrorism and extremism. “The people of Pakistan have evolved a political consensus for action against all terrorists and their organisations without any distinction and have resolved that no terrorist would be allowed to use Pakistan’s soil for committing terrorism anywhere in the world,” a statement by PM’s Office said.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, National Security Advisor Lt Gen (r) Nasser Janjua, director general of ISI, foreign secretary and DG Military Operations.
India had called on Pakistan on Thursday to take ‘prompt and decisive’ action against militants it blames for an attack on an air base. A meeting between the foreign secretaries of both nations had been tentatively scheduled for Jan 15, but it was unclear if it would still happen after the weekend attack on the Indian Air Force base near the Pakistan border.
India’s foreign ministry said Islamabad had been given actionable intelligence that those who planned the assault came from Pakistan. “As far as we are concerned, the ball is now in Pakistan’s court,” spokesman Vikas Swarup told reporters when asked if the talks were on. “The immediate issue in front of us is Pakistan’s response to the terrorist attack.”
A senior Pakistani official said India provided intelligence that included telephone numbers, call intercepts, and locations where they believe the attackers or their handlers were.Pakistan was following up the leads, the official said, and hoped that the talks would not be cancelled.
DAILY TIMES.
YEMI.
0 comments:
Post a Comment