PM Imran vows ‘befitting response’ to terrorists in Naushki visit

Announces 15% raise for the officers, men of FC, Rangers

RAWALPINDI/ NUSHKI:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the martyrs of last week’s terrorist attacks on security camps in Naushki and Panjgur districts as well as the troops who repulsed the attempts, saying that the “entire nation is standing with them” and that their sacrifices and bravery would not go in vain.

Last week in Balochistan, security forces killed 20 terrorists in clearance operations after they attacked two security camps in as many districts of the province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said. Nine security personnel were martyred while repulsing the attacks, it added.

Addressing officers and jawans of the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers in Naushki, Premier Imran vowed to give a befitting response to the terrorists who were trying in vain to hamper the pace of progress, particularly in Balochistan. “The Pakistani nation is very resilient and strong and no act of terror can deter them from moving forward.”

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The prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and senior commanders were also present.

“No other army has faced unprecedented challenges due to acts of terrorism in the wake of war in Afghanistan,” PM Imran said. “Pakistan Army excelled in its professionalism and helped in ridding Pakistan of terrorism.”

The PM said he was shocked to hear about the terrorist attacks in Balochistan and wanted to stand along with his troops who were waging a “jihad against the terrorists”.

“Not just me but the whole nation stands with our jawans.”

The prime minister said that he especially came to Naushki to express solidarity on behalf of the countrymen with the armed forces of the country.

He observed that the bravery demonstrated by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in the war against terrorism had never happened across the world.

“With their bravery and sacrifices, they secured the country from terrorists,” he added.

He pointed out that all those who sacrificed their lives had a special place in heaven, saying that the martyrs have the second-highest place after the Prophets. “It is an honour for the Muslims when they lay down their lives for their country.”

The prime minister announced a raise of 15% for the officers and men of the FC and Rangers.

He said the entire nation had a firm belief in the capability of their forces to thwart any threat of terrorism. “The entire nation has the confidence that terrorists cannot cause any harm to the country,” he maintained.

The country’s forces had restored peace in the country after waging a war on terror.

'Huge spending on uplift projects'

The prime minister said the present government was spending hugely on the uplift of Balochistan with a number of mega development projects which had never been undertaken by any democratic government in the past.

Mentioning construction of Chaman-Quetta and Karachi Highway, as the “biggest project” to transform the lives of the people and conditions of the province, the prime minister said, “The government has already allocated funds for the project.”

Read Forces repulse two terror attacks in Balochistan

He resolved that more funds would be allocated for the development of the province in future as the government was fully focused on alleviation of backwardness of certain areas including former tribal areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The PM said the government was determined to bring an “extensive development” in the province in the coming days that no outside power would succeed in misguiding the people to destabilise the country.

The next phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would hugely benefit the people of Balochistan as it would bring industrialisation, materialise establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) and transfer of technology in the agriculture sector to help boost country’s productivity.

He said China had been assisting Pakistan in increasing its agriculture yields, expressing the confidence that soon Pakistan would become an agriculture crops exporting country.

Referring to the global price hike, the prime minister said it had affected all the countries of the world, as even the strong economies like the US and the UK had been experiencing the highest inflation after 40 years.

The prime minister said that the government was cognisant of the problems faced by the salaried class due to the price hike, therefore, the government was fully focused on the steps to bring ease in their lives.

The petroleum prices had increased worldwide which also impacted the rates of related things, he opined.

The prime minister, however, expressed that as the government’s revenues were supplemented, they would increase salaries of the employees.

“About top 100 corporations of the country had fetched about Rs950 billion profits last year and I have appealed to them to increase salaries of their employees,” he added.

‘PM lauds bravery of troops’

In a statement on Tuesday, the ISPR said a detailed briefing was given to the prime minister on the security situation in the area.

In his interaction with troops, “the prime minister lauded the professionalism exhibited by the troops and appreciated the operational preparedness and bravery with which terrorists’ attacks were repulsed”.

“The prime minister reiterated national resolve to support the armed forces in eliminating the remnants of terrorists trying to sabotage the development of Balochistan,” the military’s media wing added.

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“Through a comprehensive national effort, cooperation between federal and provincial governments and assistance of armed forces, we shall realise true potential of Balochistan,” the ISPR quoted the prime minister as saying.

Later, the prime minister interacted with the tribal elders of the area and acknowledged their unwavering support in the fight against terrorism and facilitating the government initiatives being taken to bring prosperity and development to Balochistan.

He assured the jirga members of continued sincere support for timely completion of the development projects in the province.

The prime minister also stressed that development of Balochistan was priority and critical for future of Pakistan. 

(With input from app)