Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, April 19th, 2024

Islamabad Ready to Wipe Out Terrorist Havens

Islamabad Ready to  Wipe Out Terrorist Havens

KABUL - The new Pakistani government, serious about an end to US drone strikes in the restive tribal region near the Afghanistan border, is ready to wipe out terrorist safe havens on its soil, a report said on Monday.

A leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N party was quoted as saying the government of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif would convey its willingness to dismantle itself ‘terrorist sanctuaries’ in the tribal belt.

The Express Tribune reported Sharif would soon inform the Americans about his administration's willingness to eradicate militant bases in the tribal region if the CIA halted its drone campaign, which Pakistan has repeatedly condemned as a violation of its sovereignty.

But the PML-N leader said the strikes must not be seen in isolation. “There are reasons for drone attacks and we have to address those,” he told the daily, saying the government was devising a new anti-terror strategy that might be discussed at a cabinet meeting later in the day.

"Pakistan and the United States will share their concerns later this month when Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Islamabad," the report added. “We are confident that we will be able to resolve the issue.” (Pajhwok)