ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif attended a high level meeting on Thursday and reviewed the entire internal and external threat spectrum, including that posed by enemy intelligence agencies, terrorist networks and their linkages. The security meeting was held at Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Headquarters. The role of hostile intelligence agencies and their collaborators in fomenting instability in Pakistan and undermining Pakistan’s interests was discussed in detail, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said. The management of Pakistan-Afghan border, including the way forward, was also discussed during the meeting. The COAS emphasised that terrorists were externally funded and internally facilitated. He underscored the need for continued efforts across the country in consolidating gains made in operation Zarb-e-Azb and ongoing intelligence-based operations to ensure a permanent and sustainable peace in the country. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif highly appreciated the efforts and achievements of army and intelligence agencies in achieving major breakthroughs and bringing a noticeable change in the security environment of the country. The prime minister paid tribute to the valiant officers and men of army and intelligence agencies who had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. He said the entire nation was truly proud of its premier intelligence agency, its officers and men who have countless successes on their name, which truly merit due recognition and acknowledgement. Nawaz reiterated that the government and the nation stood behind its armed forces and intelligence agencies in the fight and expressed the resolve that “we would collectively defeat all designs of the enemies to make Pakistan a secure and prosperous country”. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had on Wednesday taken a drive on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route along with COAS General Raheel Sharif. Prime Minister Nawaz inaugurated the Gwadar-Hoshab M8 motorway by driving on the newly constructed road that links the Gwadar Port to Quetta. He took a test drive on the road on a military jeep driven by General Raheel Sharif. Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz said his government accords top priority to development in Balochistan and said the construction of the road was a dream come true. He said that Pakistan’s prosperity was in the prosperity of Balochistan. The prime minister said the completion of the M8 reflects his government’s vision of a bright and prosperous Balochistan and a well-connected region. Separately, in his visit to National Counter-Terrorism Training Centre (NCTC) on Thursday, General Raheel Sharif said Pakistan is willing to share its counter-terror experiences with the world for the benefit of humanity and as an obligation towards international peace. The COAS witnessed Pak-Sri Lanka-Maldives trilateral exercise “Eagle Dash-I”, Inter Services Public Relations press release said. Eagle Dash-I, a two-week exercise was focused on counter-terrorism operations and sharing of field combat experience of the three armed forces. Owing to the successes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, a large number of friendly countries have requested Pakistan Army to organise training for their troops in the state-of-the-art Counter-Terrorism Training Centre. So far, Pakistan Army has conducted joint exercises with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China and Jordan to enhance their combat efficiency. Pakistani troops have also imparted counter-terrorism training to police and other law enforcement agencies of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, the COAS congratulated all participants of the exercise for displaying high level of professionalism and combat skills. He noted that such exercises will consolidate the special relationship among three forces and help eliminate terrorism from the region. General Raheel said terrorism is a global phenomenon and terrorists have no country, religion or sect. “Pakistan has been victim of terrorism for over a decade and sacrificed a lot, but at the end we have turned the tide primarily due to resilience displayed by the whole nation and professionalism of our armed forces,” he added. “We are willing to share our experiences with the world for the benefit of humanity and as an obligation towards international peace.” The COAS said that Pakistan Army has also taken the initiative of providing counter-terrorism training to the police personnel and other law enforcement agencies in Pakistan in an effort to enhance their capacity and make them capable of skilfully dealing with this menace in an efficient manner. Praising the performance and potential of the trainees, he said such training will enhance the confidence of our law enforcement agencies.