ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) on Sunday fully supported the hard-line stance of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif in the backdrop of unprovoked attack of Afghan troops on the Torkhum border post.

It criticised lukewarm reaction of the foreign office while invitation to Afghan foreign minister was considered premature as he should have been invited after giving Afghans a proper taste of our retaliation.

Now, Afghan deputy foreign minister is arriving to hold talks therefore Pakistani side should also be represented by junior officials.

This was observed in a meeting of PESA president by its President Gen. Ali Kuli Khan. Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim, Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Lt Gen Naeem Akbar, Brig Mian Mahmud, Brig Masud ul Hassan and others also participated in the meeting.

They condemned firing by Afghan troops and criticised conduct of Afghan Ambassador who threatened Pakistan of dire consequences for insisting on improved border management system.

Afghan government was speaking language of some other powers who want hegemony over the region and they are seeking total surrender by Afghan Taliban under the garb of peace talks, they noted.

Pakistan holds the cards in the form of over three million Afghan refugees who have not only damaged our economy and society but their camps are being used as launching pads for terrorist activities.

PESA supported the decision by Army that refugees going back to Afghanistan will not be allowed to re-enter Pakistan without proper documentation as the operation Zarb-e-Azb has entered in the final phase which cannot be compromised.

Pakistan cannot leave 2250km border with unguarded so that terrorist can infiltrate without hesitation.

Afghans should be repatriated at the earliest or they must be confined to camps.

US Senate’s strict restrictions on military funding to Pakistan are considered warning signals which can be followed by using IMF against us therefore Pakistan must have a plan B to fall back in such an eventuality.