ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan and Afghanistan are uniquely and inseparably placed, and that peace in one country is not possible without peace in the other, according to tweets issued by Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Bajwa on Wednesday.
In his tweet, the DG ISPR quoted the army chief as saying that the international community “acknowledges” Pakistan’s efforts for reconciliation. Bajwa said the COAS also warned that there is a need to beware of “detractors” and “spoilers” who challenge both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Bajwa said General Raheel visited the Centre of International Study in Rome, where he offered “Pakistan’s perspective on international security”. His thoughts were “widely accepted” and “appreciated” by the audience, intelligentsia and senators.
Bajwa tweeted Gen Rahil Sharif as saying that Operation Zarb-i-Azb is a “comprehensive concept” in order to end terrorism. The army chief said it would be ensured that Pakistan and the entire region are free of terror. Bajwa quoted Gen Sharif as saying that Zarb-i-Azb will ensure peace in Pakistan and beyond, and that terrorists “won’t be allowed to re-establish a presence.”
Sharif stressed that the fight against terrorist is a “war of survival for Pakistan”. He further said, “Terrorism has attacked our common roots. It is a global threat that needs a global response. Only together can we win this war.”
Raheel Sharif apprised Italian military leadership about the needs of the Pakistan Army, particularly night-vision goggles for troops engaged in the fight against terrorists in tribal areas and other parts of Pakistan.
Read: Raheel visits Italian army’s HQThe COAS who is on an official trip to Italy, visited the army headquarters on Tuesday and held meetings with Italian military leadership.
Upon his arrival, the COAS was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Italian army.
According to the ISPR, he met Italian army chief Lt Gen Danilo Errico. Matters pertaining to military-to-military relations, enhancing cooperation, defence collaboration and training were discussed.
The Italian army chief praised Pakistan Army for its sacrifices and role in securing the region.
The COAS also held a meeting with Italian Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Claudio Graziano and discussed with him regional security and defence collaboration.
The COAS was quoted as saying, “Pak Army has lot to offer to other armies”.
The CDF appreciated Pakistan’s success and expertise in fighting terrorism. “We see Pakistan Army with respect and admiration,” he said. The CDF vowed to eliminate terrorism together.
Operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched in North Waziristan on June 15 following a brazen militant attack on Karachi’s international airport and the failure of peace talks between the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) negotiators.
Authorities have since vowed to intensify operations, using air strikes, artillery and mortars to take back territory both in the border regions and other parts of the country.
North Waziristan is one of the seven regions in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) governed by tribal laws which is situated along the Pak-Afghan border.
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