Statement wrongly interpreted: Sartaj

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz on Thursday telephoned Afghan national security adviser Hanif Atmar and clarified to him that his statement during an interview to BBC was wrongly interpreted.

During conversation, Sartaj Aziz informed the Afghan adviser that operation Zarb-e-Azb was successfully underway against the terrorists in Pakistan’s North Waziristan Agency bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistan, he said, has a clear and unflinching resolve to crush the menace of terrorism.

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan is committed to taking on the common challenges in collaboration with Afghanistan.

Foreign office clarification

On Tuesday, the Foreign Office spokesperson clarified that the Adviser made the statement in a historical context. “As for the present, Pakistan has launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb and taking action against all groups without any distinction or discrimination.”

The Spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan’s policy and actions should be seen in the light of its commitment to fight terrorism in all forms and manifestations.