American drone strikes ‘must stop’

Gen. Raheel Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif said on Wednesday US drone strikes are regrettable and must stop as they are a threat to the sovereignty and security of the country, Dawn reported.

Speaking to the media at a reception after attending President Mamnoon Hussain’s address to a joint session of Parliament, the chief added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a national project and must be completed at any cost. “The security situation in Karachi and Balochistan is improving,” he said.
Sharif said border management with Afghanistan is also improving, and now the responsibility lies with Afghanistan as there are fewer checkposts on the other side. “Operation Zarb-i-Azb is underway across the country and failure is not an option for us,” said Sharif, adding that the successes gained so far in the operation would be consolidated.
“We have to maintain the victories of the operation. Terrorists will not be allowed to re-enter into areas cleared in South and North Waziristan.”
The army chief and president also discussed issues of national security at length. The reception was also attended by leaders of various political parties.
The president addressed the Parliament in a joint session on Wednesday to mark a new year in the Assembly, discussing national security and foreign policy.
The session was also attended by the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force.