SLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said on Wednesday US drone strikes are regrettable and must stop as they are a threat to the sovereignty and security of the country. <br /> <br />Speaking informally to the media at a reception after attending President Mamnoon Hussain’s address to a joint session of Parliament, the chief added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a national project and must be completed at any cost. <br /> <br />“The security situation in Karachi and Balochistan is improving,” said the army chief. <br /> <br />The COAS further said border management with Afghanistan is also improving, and now the responsibility lies with Aghanistan as there are fewer checkposts on the other side. <br /> <br />“Operation Zarb-i-Azb is underway across the country and failure is not an option for us,” said Sharif, adding that the successes gained so far in the operation would be consolidated. <br /> <br />“We have to maintain the victories of Operation Zarb-i-Azb. Terrorists will not be allowed to re-enter into areas cleared in South Waziristan and North Waziristan.” <br /> <br />The army chief and president also discussed issues of national security at length. The reception was also attended by JI chief Sirajul Haq, Akrami Durrani of JUI-F, Special Adviser for Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and cabinet ministers, including Ishaq Dar. <br /> <br />President Mamnoon Hussain addressed the Parliament in a joint session on Wednesday to mark a new year in Parliament, discussing national security and foreign policy. <br /> <br />The session was also attended by the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force
