National consensus in place on eliminating terrorism: Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said there is a national consensus on eliminating terrorism and the military offensive against militants has "successfully" destroyed terrorists' hideouts and networks in the country's restive tribal regions.

Talking to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Gutterres at the PM House here, Sharif said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price fighting terrorism and now there is a national consensus in place on fighting and eliminating this menace.

He also said that the military operation has successfully destroyed terrorists' hideouts and networks.

Sharif said the government has already set aside USD 1 billion for rehabilitation of over one million people displaced due to the ongoing military offensive.

The first batch of these displaced people has already gone back to their homes, he added.

More than one million people were forced to leave their homes after Pakistan Army launched operation -- Zarb-e-Azb -- in North Waziristan in June last year to flush out local and foreign militants from the restive region contiguous to Afghanistan.

According to a government statement, matters relating to Afghan refugees in Pakistan including their repatriation to their homeland also came for discussion during the meeting.

The Prime Minister said the return of Afghan refugees with dignity is a priority for the government.

Gutterres also extended his condolences on the loss of lives due to heat wave in Karachi, where more than 250 people have died due to scorching heat.