Sartaj Aziz under fire for 'not to act against friendly terrorists' gaffe

Days after Pakistan's National Security Adviser went on record to say that the nation would not target militant groups that do not "pose a threat to the state," the statement has received flak from the opposition in the upper House of the Parliament which has demanded an explanation by calling an attention notice.

Drawing people's attention to the statement made by Aziz during an interview to the BBC on November 17, the notice accused the top official of making a "disturbing distinction" between militants targeting Pakistan and those, using Pakistan's soil to launch violent operations against other states in the region, reported the Dawn.

The notice termed the statement a "disturbing admission" at the highest level of policy formulation that called for urgent attention.

It said that Aziz's statement was a "reversal of the stated policy of across the board action against all militants" reiterated by the security establishment.

Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) had yesterday tried to clarify the statement by saying that it had been reported out of context and that it was made in a historical context.

The calling attention notice was moved in the Senate today by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Farhatullah Babar.