Pakistan will only negotiate with the interim government of Afghanistan and not any group or faction, said Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir on Monday.

COAS Munir met tribal elders from the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as notables from all walks of life during his visit to Peshawar.

Addressing the Grand Jirga in Peshawar, he said the Afghan immigrants in Pakistan will have to abide by the country’s law.

Earlier, COAS Munir laid a floral wreath at Yaadgar-e-Shuhada at Fort Bala Hisar (Headquarters Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - North) and offered Fatiha, Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the tribals of Pakistan and appreciated their indomitable resolve for standing with the security forces in defeating the menace of terrorism.

“With the unflinching resolve of the Nation, Pakistan is successfully countering terrorism to enable a stable and peaceful environment for socioeconomic development in the area,” COAS Munir remarked.

“Terrorism has no place in Pakistan and the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in Pakistan is detrimental to regional peace, stability and deviation from the Doha Peace Agreement by the interim Afghan Government,” he stated.

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He raised concerns over the sanctuaries available to banned outfits and the liberty of action they enjoy on Afghan soil. “Pakistan will spare no effort to dismantle terrorist networks and protect its citizens at all costs.”

The tribal elders assured that the banned TTP and its ideology will never be acceptable to any tribe and they will continue to stand with the state.

COAS emphasised the potential of Newly Merged Districts and the ongoing efforts in uplifting socio-economic growth under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

“KPK province is blessed with huge reserves of Mines & Minerals, also beautiful areas for tourism which will certainly change the destiny of the area for the good of the people,” COAS Munir said.

“Pak Army stands with our tribal brothers and will never leave them alone as over the years they have given innumerable sacrifices for the peace and prosperity of the motherland. It’s time to develop all tribal areas and concentrate on youth.”

He reiterated the resolve of the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and other law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism till its elimination from the country. He showed resolve to finish the peril of Narco which is becoming a lifeline for the banned TTP.

“The surge in terrorism in recent past is a futile effort on the part of terrorists to get the talks re-initiated, however, there is no option for these terrorists except to submit to the writ of state of Pakistan before they are decimated, if they persist on their wrong path,” the army chief said.

He reiterated that propaganda by inimical forces against the Armed Forces of Pakistan will be dealt as per the Law.