ISLAMABAD - On the heels of top level changes in the Army, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Monday and discussed with him different issues including the ongoing operation Zerb-i-Azb and the rehabilitation of IDPs in the areas cleared from the militants.
The meeting secured special significance following the allegations coming from various quarters on the Army for its alleged backing to the ongoing sit-ins at the Constitution Avenue. Though, there was no mention of the top-level changes made in the armed forces in the press release issued by the PM's media office, PML-N sources informed The Nation that the civil-military relations also figured in the meeting.
Sources informed that both COAS and PM were on same page on almost all the major issues including the commendable role of Army in crushing the militants in North Waziristan and their role in rescue and relief in the flood hit areas.
According to PM's media office, COAS informed the prime minister about Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the progress made so far by the armed forces in eliminating terrorists from the motherland. The prime minister commended the armed forces for the sacrifices given by them in making Pakistan a safer country. He also praised the efforts of armed forces in providing prompt relief to people affected by recent floods.
Premier Sharif expressed satisfaction over operation's progress. He also discussed his upcoming visit to the United States with the Army Chief. Comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for the IDPs of North Waziristan and regional situation in the wake of political changes in Afghanistan also came under discussion during the meeting.
Over 1,000 militants have been killed since launch of the military operation in North Waziristan on June 15. Nearly one million people have been displaced due to the operation and are living in the camps, rented houses or with communities in nearby districts. Army officials claimed that security forces have cleared some 90 per cent of areas of the militants in major towns in the region, including its headquarters Miranshah and Mir Ali considered to be the stronghold of the militants.