Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif concerned over acts of 'foreign spy agencies'

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today expressed concern over the "involvement" of "foreign intelligence agencies" in allegedly creating instability in Pakistan, remarks that have come on top of accusations by several leaders against Indian agency RAW.

Accompanied by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Special Advisers Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi and army chief General Raheel Sharif, the prime minister visited the headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) here.

Army spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted that ISI chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar briefed the prime minister and others "on external and internal security".

He also briefed them over the Intelligence-Based Operation (IBOs) which led to averting of several terrorist attacks and helped to bust the networks of militants.

Prime Minister Sharif reiterated his resolve to defeat the terrorists.

"We will collectively defeat all designs of our enemies and make Pakistan a secure, affluent country no matter what the cost," he said on the occasion.

"PM expressed serious concern on recent statements by the Indian political leadership. We would take all possible measures to counter any anti-Pakistan acts," Bajwa quoted the prime minister as saying.

Sharif said that terrorism and extremism were the biggest challenge to a secure and prosperous Pakistan.

He also "showed concern over acts of foreign intelligence agencies in destabilising Pakistan".

Sharif's statement is the highest-level reaction from Pakistan about foreign spy agencies after several Pakistani leaders recently made veiled attacks on RAW.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti also today blamed RAW for alleged involvement in last night's attack where unidentified militants shot dead at least 22 people after storming two Karachi-bound buses in the restive province.

Earlier, Pakistan had also reacted strongly to the statement by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that India would use terrorists to "neutralise" terrorists from other countries.