KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday presided over a meeting of the provincial apex committee which is responsible for implementation of the anti-terror National Action Plan (NAP) in Sindh at the Governor’s House. The premier said that failing in the operation against terrorists is not an option.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, DG Rangers Bilal Akber, security agencies officials, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former president Asif Ali Zardari and members of the provincial cabinet.

Participants of the meeting were briefed over the implementation of NAP in Sindh.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the nation desired results of the NAP and the country needs to get rid of the menace of terrorism once and for all, and that failure was not an option in the fight against militancy.

The premier also termed the Baldia factory fire as a grave incident. The meeting also reviewed the progress of the ongoing operation in Karachi.

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said that Karachi had played a great role in the country's formative years and continues to play a role in our economy. He added that peace in Karachi means prosperity for Pakistan.

He said meaningful efforts are required as well as an operation without any discrimination against all criminals regardless of ethnic, political, religious and sectarian affinity.

He also said that with transparency and sincerity of purpose the Rangers' operation creates environment for sustained peace and stability.

He further said that for enduring peace, political consensus and follow up was a must in order to capitalise on the space created.

He also said that political expediency cannot generate an apolitical response and added that crimes should be dealt as apolitical and a broad based consensus, harmony was also a must to capitalise on the gains made during the ongoing operation.

The army chief was also quoted as saying that better coordination between Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Intelligence agencies was mandatory. Police needs to be empowered as an apolitical, effective force.

The army chief's statement also said that postings in police should be made without any interference.

Earlier during the day, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif separately arrived in Karachi to review the city's security situation in the midst of a targeted operation to rid the city of criminal and terrorist elements as well as the implementation of the National Action Plan in the aftermath of the attack on Peshawar's Army Public School.

Upon his arrival at the Karachi Airport, the premier was greeted by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

Prior to the provincial apex committee meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif also held a meeting at the corps headquarters in Karachi.

The meeting was also attended by Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar.

During the meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif were briefed by Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar.

The prime minister appreciated the ongoing intelligence based operation in Karachi in support of Operation Zarb-i-Azb and National Action Plan, according to a tweet by Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asim Bajwa.

Upon his arrival in Karachi earlier, General Raheel visited the Rangers Headquarters where he was given a briefing by Director General Sindh Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar over the ongoing operation and the city's prevailing security situation.

The army chief commended the gains made by the Rangers, police and intelligence agencies during the operation.

He also assured the security agencies of all possible support from the military to ensure peace in the city.

Nawaz, Zardari discuss political situation, security

Premier Nawaz Sharif met former president Asif Ali Zardari at Governor's House where the two discussed a host of issues, including the country's political situation, implementation of the NAP, ongoing operations in Karachi, North Waziristan and Khyber tribal regions.

A joint grand targeted operation was launched in Karachi amidst great fanfare in September 2013 in the hopes of improving the law and order situation in the country’s commercial capital.

Over 1,400 criminals involved in targeted killings have been arrested while more than 766 criminals have been killed since the operation began more than 500 days ago.