Pak PM, army chief discuss role of hostile foreign agencies

Islamabad, Feb 4: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief General Raheel Sharif today discussed the role of hostile foreign intelligence agencies and their collaborators in fomenting instability in the country.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the two met at the ISI headquarters in Islamabad, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel emphasised on the need for continued efforts across the country to consolidate gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants.

Army spokesman Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa said the meeting was attended by security officials including ISI chief Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar.

"The role of hostile (foreign) intelligence agencies and their collaborators in fomenting instability in Pakistan and undermining Pakistan's interests was discussed in detail," Bajwa said.

The "hostile agencies" were, however, not officially identified. The participants also reviewed the internal and external threat perceptions, including those from terrorist networks.

The meeting also discussed the "management of Pak-Afghan border" and how to improve it to stop incursions from Afghanistan. Sharif appreciated the efforts and achievements of the army and intelligence agencies in achieving "major breakthroughs" and bringing a noticeable change in the security environment of the country.

He said the entire nation was proud of its premier intelligence agency, reiterating that the government and the nation stood behind its armed forces.

General Raheel underscored the need for continued efforts across country in consolidating gains of operation Zarb-e-Azb and intelligence based operations to ensure sustainable peace.

Media reported that Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan and NSA Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua also attended the meeting.

PTI