No terror safe havens exist in Pakistan, says DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: There doesn’t exist safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan, said Maj General Asif Ghafoor, Director General Inter Services Public Relations while reacting to US President Donald Trump’s Afghan policy statement.

He said Pakistan Army conducted operation ‘Raddul Fasaad’ against all terrorists without any discrimination. “An American delegation recently visited Pakistan and acknowledged the Pakistan’s efforts to uproot terrorism.”

“For us Pakistan is important more than anything else. We also told American authorities that there doesn’t exist any terrorists’ network, including that of Haqqani’s, in Pakistan,” DG ISPR said while adding that foreign office will officially declare Pakistan’s stance on Donlad Trump’s Afghan policy.

Last week, a delegation of United States headed by Commander US Central Command (CENTCOM) General Joseph L. Votel visited North Waziristan Agency and lauded efforts and sacrifices of Pakistan Army and local tribes for re-establishing peace in the area, according to a statement of ISPR.

The delegation was briefed about Pak Army’s operations in the North Waziristan and Pak-Afghan border security mechanism through enhanced surveillance measures.

Appreciating Pak Army’s efforts, the CENTCOM commander also realized the importance of Pak-Afghan bilateral border security cooperation.

General Votel and his delegation were also apprised of efforts on the socio-economic developments, including the return of Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs). Later, the delegates had also visited APS Miranshah and interacted with students.

Donald Trump on Monday committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, signaling he would dispatch more troops to America’s longest war and vowing “a fight to win”.

Trump insisted that others – the Afghan government, Pakistan, India and NATO allies – step up their own commitment to resolving the 16-year conflict, but he saved his sharpest words for Pakistan.

Senior U.S. officials warned security assistance for Pakistan could be reduced unless the nuclear-armed nation cooperated more in preventing militants from using safe havens on its soil.