ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday resolved to work with Afghan government to remove all irritants in the way of peace with Pakistan. “While reaffirming its continued commitment to pursue peace and stability in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process, the forum resolved to work at all levels with the people and government of Afghanistan for removal of all irritants including repeated cross border fire and support network in Afghanistan for terrorist incidents in Pakistan,” a statement issued after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said. The meeting also expressed its resolve to increase people-to-people contacts with Afghanistan to ensure stability in the region. It was agreed to continue to work for peace and stability in Afghanistan steered by its neighbours. The meeting held at the PM Office reiterated that regional peace was directly linked to resolution of all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. It voiced concerns over violations by Indian security forces across the Line of Control (LoC) and human rights violations against the innocent people in Occupied Kashmir. The participants of the meeting were of the view that regional peace and progress was dependent on finding a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. Attended by Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, National Security Advisor Lt Gen (r) Nasser Khan Janjua, Director General ISI Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar and senior civil and military officials, the meeting reviewed internal and external security situation as well as foreign policy imperatives in the regional and global context. The meeting unanimously expressed satisfaction over the gains of anti-terrorism operations, particularly Radd-ul-Fasaad and Khyber-4 and resolved to continue with these operations till elimination of the last traces of terrorist elements. The NSC lauded the zeal, fervour and unity demonstrated by the entire nation during the recent Independence Day celebrations. Published in Daily Times, August 17th 2017.