Pak Minister says war on terror in country's own interest

Islamabad, Aug. 1 (ANI): Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that elimination of terrorism is in the country's own interest.

The News quoted Kaira as saying that the present government explored all peaceful means to deal with militancy before launching a military operation.

He admitted that militancy-hit tribal areas cleared by security agencies couldn't guarantee total peace.

"It is difficult to have foolproof check on the activities of terrorists even in the settled areas like Islamabad," he said.

On the question of restoration of the damaged infrastructure in the offensive-affected areas, he accepted that there had been some shortcomings in the relief activities, but overall the government was making serious efforts to provide relief to IDPs.

No survey has been conducted in the affected areas to assess the damages incurred so far, and it would be inappropriate to give the accurate details of the losses at this stage, he said. (ANI)