PESHAWAR: The Inter-services Public Relations chief Major General Babar Iftikhar has said that Pak-Afghan border fencing is for “peace” and will be completed at all costs.
Addressing a news conference in Rawalpindi, Gen. Iftikhar said that the Pakistan security forces have shed blood during the construction of the fence and the remaining portion will be completed to stop the entry of terrorists into Pakistan. He informed that 94% fencing work has been completed. Earlier, Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement that the Taliban believe in addressing problems through mutual understanding and diplomatic channels.
Read more: Taliban wants to resolve border issue with Pakistan diplomatically
Talking about the dialogues with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Gen. Iftikhar said that the process was started on the request of the government; however, he said that the war against the terrorists is continuing after the end of ceasefire in December, last year. He said that there are also differences with the Taliban and the war on terrorism will continue.
Asked about the deal with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Gen Ifitkhar said, “These are mere speculations. There is no such deal. Those who talks about deal should be asked for further information.” He said that it was a “baseless” propaganda that should not be discussed in the best national interest.
The DG ISPR said that for some time now there has been a systematic campaign against various state institutions that aims to create rift between the government and the security institutions. He said that such would campaigns will only hurt the confidence of the people in the national institutions. He maintained that there are no civil-military tensions in the country.
The Director General ISPR said that the situation on the western border remained “worrisome” in 2021 and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan had an impact on Pakistan’s security.