Country faces a new war of terrorism: Iqbal

Minister says Afghanistan asked to stop cross-border attacks

LAHORE:

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that the country was facing a new war of terrorism.

He said this while addressing a degree show, Master of Visual Art, at National College of Arts.

The minister added that in the apex committee's meeting the political, military leadership and chief ministers of all provinces expressed resolve that there would be zero tolerance against terrorism and terrorists.

To a question, he said that the government of Pakistan had always conveyed it to the government of Afghanistan through dialogue that it should stop Afghan land to be used for terrorism in Pakistan.

He said that the Pakistani people had made numerous sacrifices for the people of Afghanistan and were facing consequences till today. He hoped that Afghanistan would take notice and not allow any group to use Afghan land for carrying out terrorism in Pakistan.

Iqbal said that the government was making sincere efforts, adding that reasonable dialogue from both sides always yields positive results.

To another question, he said that the government was focusing on expanding skill training programmes, adding that a hefty amount of Rs20 billion had been given to the ministry of education and national vocational and technical training commission, so that development programmes could be expanded besides ensuring international certification.