No military operation underway in tribal areas: Nisar

Published February 28, 2014
A view of the National Assembly. — File photo
A view of the National Assembly. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday stated that no military operation was going on in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and only targeted action was being carried out, DawnNews reported.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister said the government had not made its mind up on launching a military operation and no such decision would be taken in a stealthy manner.

He said the damage to the local population as a result of the targeted action was minimal, adding that the numbers of those displaced in the aftermath was not great enough to require a process of formal transportation and registration.

Nisar said that in case the government did decide to launch a military operation, the call would likely take three to four weeks' time.

Earlier on at least two occasions, the minister had said that after the recent surge in violence the government had decided to target the place from where the act of terrorism originated. Regardless of the place where an act of violence takes place the government will hit militants’ headquarters.

Speaking on the floor of the House today, the minister further said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would call a meeting of the four chief ministers on the security policy at some point in the coming week.

The minister had earlier said that role of the centre and the provinces with respect to security would be determined at the premier’s meeting with the chief ministers. He has also been stressing the need for coordinated action by the federating units on security matters.

Referring to the law and order situation in Karachi, Nisar on Friday said the government would take strict measures and necessary action to ensure the safety of the lives and properties of those living in the country's financial capital.

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