Acting President Mian Raza Rabbani Wednesday said that entire nation and political leadership of the country completely backed the operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorism. He noted that national consensus on this critical issue was producing positive results. The Acting President expressed these views while talking to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and former Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres who called on him along with a delegation at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, said a press release.
He said that Pakistan rendered great sacrifices in fight against terrorism and hosting the Afghan refugees. The President also emphasised that the country was committed in eliminating the scourge of terrorism and said that the international community particularly western countries should understand the difficulties of Pakistan in this regard.
He said that Pakistan was ready to extend all out support for repatriation of the Afghan refugees to their homeland and their rehabilitation inside Afghanistan. In this regard, co-operation and support extended by the international community and UNHCR was quite commendable, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres said that Pakistani nation demonstrated great courage and patience despite trying circumstances for which they deserved immense admiration. He said that Pakistan had adopted an effective strategy for fighting terrorism and it was producing encouraging results.
Antonio Guterres also acknowledged the efforts made by Pakistan for hosting the world's largest refugee population for more than three decades. Federal Minister for SAFRON Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch (r), secretary SAFRON Pir Bakhsh Jamali and Dr Imran Zeb, chief commissioner for Afghan Refugees were also present on the occasion.