PM Shehbaz praises army for defeating terrorism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday paid rich tributes to the officers and men of the Pakistan Army for their success in breaking the back of terrorism and defeating and degrading all types of terrorist organisations and dismantling their infrastructure.

During his maiden visit to North Waziristan, Shahbaz assured the elders from the former tribal areas that the government would do everything possible to facilitate them and ensure their socio-economic development.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, the prime minister was received by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa upon his arrival in Miranshah, the main town of the newly-merged district.

The prime minister laid floral wreath at the Shuhada monument and offered Fateha for the valiant sons of the soil, who rendered supreme sacrifices, while defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan, it added.

Later, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the prevalent security situation with special focus on terrorist activities from across the border. He was also briefed on the western border management system, including the status of border fencing, the ISPR added.

“It was not too long ago that terrorists had been indiscriminately targeting innocent men, women, children, educational institutions and state infrastructure across the country,” PM Shehbaz said on the occasion.

“Thanks to the valiant efforts of our Armed Forces, fully supported by the nation, we have been successful in defeating and degrading all types of terrorist organisations and dismantling their infrastructure. The nation stands united in this endeavour, and we shall together succeed, insha'Allah.”

Socio-economic development

Later, Shehbaz addressed the tribal elders at the historic Jirga Hall in Miranshah. “Restoration of peace and security in the tribal areas, especially in North Waziristan, is among the top priorities of the government,” Shehbaz said.

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He thanked the tribal elders for their cooperation in the fight against terrorism for a peaceful and stable Pakistan. “The people of tribal districts have rendered great sacrifices and we owe them a lot. We will not allow their sacrifices to go waste,” the prime minister added.

On the occasion, the tribal elders sought compensation for the damages occurred during the operation Zarb-e-Azb. Tribal elder Malik Nasrullah Wazir also sought investigation into, what he claimed, the bombing of the temporary displaced persons (TDPs) from Waziristan in the Afghan city of Khost.

Shehbaz announced the establishment of a university, a medical college, Danish schools and a mobile hospital in North Waziristan, while responding to the demands made by the local National Assembly member (MNA) Mohsin Dawar.

“Our priority will be to ensure civic facilities for the local communities at par with the rest of Pakistan,” the prime minister assured the tribal elders. He added that soon he would announce the development package for North Waziristan.

Shahbaz assured that the government would do everything possible to facilitate them and ensure their socio-economic development. He announced that soon a grand Jirga of Waziristan delegations would be convened in Islamabad in this regard, which would have a detailed discussion on the matter.

During the visit, the prime minister was accompanied by federal ministers Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Asif and Mufti Abdul Shakoor; Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Hussain, MNA Mohsin Dawar, local leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Malik Liaquat Ali and others.

(With input from our correspondent in Miranshah)