Pakistan PM expresses "serious concerns" about statements by Indian leaders

Pakisan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday expressed “serious concerns about recent statements by India’s political leadership”, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on May 30. The statement said that Mr Sharif said this during a visit — along with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif — to the headquarters of the ISI in Islamabad, where both were given a briefing by the agency’s director-general Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar. The prime minister also said that “we would take all possible measures to counter any anti-Pakistan acts”.

CGP13zCVAAEoSmz — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif at ISI headquarters in Islamabad — DG ISI Lt-Gen Rizwan Akhtar is left of the prime minister. (Source: ISPR)

The statement said that the DG ISI briefed the prime minister and army chief on the country’s internal and external security situation and ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Recent ongoing successful Intelligence Based Operations(IBOs) and number of terrorists attempts averted in near past and terrorists networks busted across the country as a result thereof, were discussed.

The prime minister lauded the efforts and achievements of the ISI in countering terrorists’ attempts and paid rich tributes to the officers and men of the agency who have laid their lives in the line of duty. The prime minister said “we are proud of our premier intelligence agency and they deserve due recognition and acknowledgement”.

The prime minister said that terrorism and extremism are the biggest challenges to a secure and prosperous Pakistan. He showed his concern over actions of foreign intelligence agencies, in destabilizing our country. He reiterated the resolve that we will collectively defeat all designs of our enemies and make Pakistan a secure and affluent country no matter what the cost.

He emphasised the need for more proactive and coordinated role of all intelligence agencies to bring optimum effects to defeat all threats.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, and Special Advisers to the Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi accompanied the Prime Minister.