ISLAMABAD - In the backdrop of the recent surge in terrorism across the country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on Wednesday discussed overall law and order situation and agreed to enhance coordination between the civil and military intelligence agencies to contain the menace effectively.
Gen Raheel Sharif called on Premier Sharif and gave him updates about the ongoing Zerb-i-Azb Operation and the planned rehabilitation of the IDPs in the areas made clear from the militants before the onset of winter.
Sources aware of the deliberations of the meeting said prime minister, while referring to the Wagah suicide attack, expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorism across the country.
Sources further said that both prime minister and COAS agreed to enhance coordination among intelligence agencies and it was agreed upon in the meeting to immediately make functional National Counter-Terrorism Authority, which would provide best forum to intelligence agencies to proactively work and frustrate the nefarious designs of terrorists.
Army chief informed the premier that they had broken the backbone of the militants in tribal areas and they were on the run. He termed the recent terrorist attacks by those frustrated elements who wanted to avenge their mass elimination from the tribal areas. PM Sharif eulogised the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in its fight against terrorism.
The prime minister stressed the need of adopting a comprehensive strategy to root out terrorism and said that the nation was determined to eliminate this menace.
Prime Minister Sharif vowed to eliminate militancy and terrorism from the country with the cooperation of public.
Stressing the need of making a comprehensive strategy against terrorism Premier Shairf said National Counter-Terrorism Authority would be made functional to effectively counter the onslaught of militants.
Sources further informed that COAS also briefed the prime minister about his daylong visit to Kabul today (Thursday) wherein he would discuss with his Afghan counterpart a joint strategy to deal with the cross-border movement of militants on Pak-Afghan border. Premier Sharif also paid rich tribute to the security personnel who rendered sacrifices of their lives for the motherland.
The meeting came after a deadly suicide blast in Lahore on Sunday in which over 60 people lost their lives.
COAS VISITS KABUL TODAY
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif will make a daylong visit to Kabul today (Thursday) to meet the new Afghan leadership.  According to the ISPR, General Raheel Sharif would meet Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, defence minister, national security adviser and senior military leaders.
The visit of General Raheel Sharif is significant development as he would be discussing with the new Afghan leadership broad-based security issues, including Pak-Afghan border management as well as situation in the wake of drawdown of the US-led international forces from Afghanistan.