PM, COAS visit Peshawar Corps HQ

 

PESHAWAR: Expressing satisfaction over the success of the ongoing operation “Zarb-e-Azb”, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the pace of success of armed forces in the operation was very encouraging. “We will win this war,” he vowed.
He said this while visiting the Peshawar Corps Headquarters on Friday where he was briefed by corp commander, Peshawar, on Zarb-e-Azb. The prime minister was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi, Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Federal Minister for State and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch.

The prime minister said that the entire nation was supporting the armed forces in the war against terror and will overcome every challenge. “The goal of achieving peace is not very far and I have full confidence that with the help of Allah Almighty, we will win this war,” he said.

He was briefed on different stages of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and the status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in bordering areas of KP with Fata.

He said the government and armed forces would ensure the provision of all possible help to the affected people and the federal government will provide required resources in this regard. Earlier, the prime minister laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada at the headquarters of 11 Corps and prayed for the departed souls. Nawaz also held meetings with KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan and Chief Minister Pervaiz Khan Khattak at the Governor’s House, Peshawar, before returning to Islamabad.

Afghan election HQ attacked by militants: official

KABUL: Insurgents attacked the headquarters of the Afghan election commission in Kabul on Saturday, officials said, one week ahead of voting and after a series of bloody attacks in the city.

"I can confirm an attack at the IEC (Independent Election Commission) headquarters," Noor Mohammad Noor, the IEC spokesman, told AFP. "We heard two explosions inside the IEC compound, the sound of firing is still ongoing, but people are safe and are in (reinforced) safe rooms."

Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said: "Initial information shows that three or four attackers have occupied a building and are firing on the IEC office.

"On Friday, Taliban militants attacked a Kabul guesthouse used by a US anti-landmine charity, killing two people. Friday´s assault was the fourth significant attack this year in Kabul targeting foreigners or places where foreigners congregate.

The Taliban have vowed a campaign of violence to disrupt the polls on April 5, urging their fighters to attack polling staff, voters and security forces in the run-up to election day.