200,000 Pak troops battling militancy in north: Fatemi

Pakistan has deployed more than 200,000 troops backed by air force in its northern areas and along border with Afghanistan to flush out militants from the region and demolish their hideouts, a top official said today.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, who is visiting the US to seek better ties with America under President-elect Donald Trump, made the remarks during an interaction with media.
"Pakistan has deputed more than 200,000 troops in its northern areas and along Pak-Afghan border and these troops are being used with full force along-with the F-16s by Pakistan Air Force in bursting terrorists' networks and demolishing their hideouts," he said.

Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that highlighting Pakistan's unflinching commitment to putting an end to terrorism and militancy, Fatemi narrated that Pakistan lost more than 5,000 soldiers in a ruthless war against terrorism.
"It's an uphill task and Pakistan has paid a very heavy price. Pakistan today has far less and far few incidents of militancy and terrorism. At present, terrorists are on the run and are targeting soft targets out of frustration," he told reporters at Pakistan Embassy in Washington.
He said Pakistan was implementing the National Action Plan to eliminate militancy and entire country was united in getting rid of terrorism in all its manifestations.

"We are acting upon the National Action Plan to curb the menace of terrorism. Pakistan has already made remarkable all round progress on economic front particularly in overcoming the energy crises," he said.

He underscored that Pakistan is looking forward to work closely with the new US administration and wants the bilateral relations to be further strengthened in future, the FO said.
"Once President-elect Donald Trump assumes his office, Pakistan is looking forward to meaningful engagement with USA in further improving bilateral relations and playing its role in the context of regional and international issues," he said.
Pakistan can play an instrumental role in promoting peace not only in Afghanistan but in the entire region, Fatemi said.

"Pakistan has confluence of interests with USA and there is a solid track record of US and Pakistan working together over seven decades to promote peace and tranquillity at regional as well as international levels.
"Historically speaking, Pakistan stood with USA during Cold War and is now a frontline state in a global war against terrorism for the last many years," he said.
Fatemi also underlined a need for a dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the issue of Kashmir.
"Pakistan will be forthcoming in cooperating with new administration in US in achieving peace in Afghanistan and making Pakistan-India relations better for the sake of peace in the region," he said.

Fatemi's trip to the US came at the heels of telephonic talks between Trump and Sharif last week.