Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday emphasised the need for broad-based regional cooperation to eradicate violence and extremism, as Commander-in-Chief of Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) General Raheel Sharif (retd) discussed various aspects of the Coalition and important initiatives in the fight against counterterrorism with the Premier. During the two-day visit to the country, Gen Raheel Sharif along with his delegation of the IMCTC held meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Chief Of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat and a few senators.
According to media office of the Prime Minister House, the Commander-In-Chief of the ICMTC Gen Raheel Sharif called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed regional security environment and efforts towards peace and stability during the meeting.
"The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to bring enduring peace and stability in Pakistan while supporting all peace initiatives for regional peace," a statement of the PM House stated, adding that the Prime Minister also emphasised greater regional cooperation to eradicate violence and extremism.
It further stated that the Prime Minister appropriated IMCTC Charter for its efforts towards countering violent extremism.
The visit of the delegation comes days before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is due to arrive on a crucial visit to the country likely on February 16 and the two sides are expected to sign a number of investment deals, including the construction of a multibillion dollars oil refinery in the port city of Gwadar during the visit.
According to official Twitter account of the IMCTC, the focus of the discussion with Pakistani civil and military leadership was on avenues of collaboration and counterterrorism initiatives as well as various aspects of the Coalition and important initiatives in the flight against terrorism.
Earlier in the day, Gen Raheel Sharif met Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani at the Parliament House. According to a press release of the office of the chairman, the Commander-in-Chief of IMCTC briefed the chairman about the aims and objectives of the force.
"He [Gen Raheel Sharif] said that Pakistan has played a vital role in fighting terrorism and IMCTC is a platform to eliminate terrorism and promote efforts aimed at peace at regional and global level," it stated, adding that he also said that not only the Muslim countries but other nations can also benefit from this alliance.
While talking to the delegation, Sadiq Sanjrani said that Coalition is a strong and coordinated response to terrorist forces bent upon creating panic and uncertainty in societies and creating hurdles in the smooth developmental process.
He said that the coalition is not against any state, nation or a particular sect; however, it aims to counter terrorism and eliminate it by further augmenting the ongoing efforts.
The Senate chairman said that terrorism has no place in any religion or belief and peaceful coexistence is the only way forward to expedite the pace for regional development and making the world a better place to live. He specifically lauded the efforts of IMCTC under General Raheel Sharif in promoting peace and eliminating terrorism. He observed that Pakistan wants peaceful solution to all the issues as peace guarantees growth and prosperity.
The chairman Senate further remarked, "Dialogue is the only solution to our problems and we must engage in constructive dialogue to give peace a chance to flourish; thus, overcoming poverty and doing away with the economic imbalance."
During the meeting, the senators appreciated the efforts of IMCTC and assured their cooperation and support for further strengthening it.
The meeting was attended by Senator Shibli Faraz, Leader of the House in Senate, Senators Dilawar Khan, Khanzada Khan, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Saleem Zia, Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Manzoor Ahmad Kakar, Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum (retd) and members of IMCTC delegation.
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