Pakistani military operation to be completed by year-end

The Pakistan government said that an ongoing military operation will be completed by the end of the year, media reported Monday.

Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch said that after "Zarb-e-Azb" is completed, a 'mini-Marshall plan' will be launched for the socio-economic progress of the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Dawn online reported.

"The era of terrorists will end in FATA and there will be complete peace in the entire tribal areas by the end of this year," Baloch said.

He said FATA was no more a stronghold of the Taliban where they committed acts of terrorism, produced and smuggled narcotic drugs and indulged in kidnappings and shootings.

The government would launch a comprehensive plan for development activities after restoration of peace in FATA.

"The plan is so big that we call it a mini-Marshall Plan," he added.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said that terrorists had controlled vast areas in North and South Waziristan, but now the army had pushed them to a small pocket bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain has removed legal hitches to pave the way for development in FATA and approved two summaries Saturday under which economic zones will be established and trade will be promoted in the region.