President, Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said the militants were on a "retreat", following the massive military operation in South Waziristan to rid the area of extremists and terrorists. Talking to special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Humanitarian Assistance to Pakistan Jean-Maurice Ripert here at the Presidency, the President said the fight against militancy has been given political ownership and described it as "a great plus" in the ongoing fight.
Zardari reiterated that the government was clear in its determination to eliminate the scourge of extremism and militancy and bring peace and stability to the country, the region and the world. The President appreciated the active role being played by the UN agencies in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan, especially in areas affected in the ongoing war against militancy and terrorism.
The President said the visit of the UNSG's special envoy would further strengthen synergies of UN agencies in the country. The President said that all possible measures have been taken to provide "foolproof security" to the UN personnel in the country.
He urged the UN agencies and the world community to help Pakistan look after the people displaced as a result of the fight against militants. The President also expressed his condolences over the deaths of UN officials in the suicide attack on the World Food Programme office and paid rich tributes to them for "laying down their lives for the cause of humanity".
Jean-Maurice Ripert assured the continued support and co-operation of the UN agencies for humanitarian assistance to Pakistan. He said that he would work with the Government of Pakistan and international financial institutions to mobilise resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the crisis affected areas. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign and Interior Secretaries, and other senior officials.-PR