Operation Zarb-e-Azb may cost over $1.3 billion: Dar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the cost of ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan may exceed $1.3 billion.

Dar met with US Senate Armed Services Committee member, Jack Reed and Ambassador Richard Olson and informed them that the Pakistani government had already spent $400 million on the operation and IDPs.

During the meeting the finance minister said the operation had the full support of political parties, armed forces and civil society in the country. Dar added that Pakistani had suffered economically due to the exodus of people from the tribal areas owing to the operation.

Senator Jack Reed said it was essential that the global community helped Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.