Pak army's Zarb-e-azab op to conclude in Fata by year-end

Pakistan has said that military operation 'Zarb-e-azab' against Taliban will be concluded in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) by the end of this year after flushing out terrorists from the restive area.
"The era of the Taliban will end in Fata and there will be complete peace in the entire tribal areas by the end of this year," Minister for Safron and Frontier Regions retired Lt-Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch said.
He said that Fata was no more a stronghold of the Taliban where they committed acts of terrorism, produced and smuggled narcotic drugs and indulged in gun-running and kidnapping for ransom.

After restoration of peace in the tribal areas, the government would launch a comprehensive plan for development activities and socio-economic progress of the people in the area.
"The plan is so big that we call it a mini-Marshall Plan," the Minister said.
The plan will be launched on the pattern of the European Recovery Programme for which the United States gave USD 17 billion after the Second World War.

The Pakistan military intensified 'Zarb-e-azab' offensive launched in June last year in militants' stronghold of North Waziristan, after the deadly Taliban attack in an army-run school in Peshawar in which 150 people, including 136 students, were killed.

Army claims that more than 1,600 militants have been killed in the operation.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain has approved two summaries under which economic zones will be established and trade will be promoted in the tribal region.