Terrorism poses an existential threat, warns PM

Shehbaz visits Quetta after train hostage saga; Praises security forces for successful rescue op; urges new force

QUETTA:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned on Thursday that terrorism posed an existential threat to the country and called on the leadership to sit together, learn lessons from the past, and devise the strategy to overcome the challenges facing the nation.

Speaking at a high-level security huddle at the Chief Minister's Secretariat during his daylong visit to Quetta against the backdrop of the recent train hijacking incident, Shehbaz announced that a meeting of the country's leadership would be called for consultation on the issue of terrorism.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast commitment to eradicating terrorism, stating that any attempt to destabilise the country would be met with full might of the state. He termed the Jaffar Express hijacking and killing of innocent people by Baloch terrorists "an unforgivable atrocity".

"If we do not eliminate the scourge of terrorism, then Pakistan's existence may be in danger," Shehbaz told the meeting. "We need to learn lessons from the past. We cannot afford another such accident," the prime minister added.

The prime minister visited Quetta after the security forces rescued hundreds of Jaffar Express passengers in a dramatic clearance operation on Wednesday, killing 33 terrorists, who had hijacked the train in Tuesday afternoon.

"Today we are together on the occasion when the whole nation is grieving as three days ago, terrorists attacked a train in which more than 400 persons were travelling," Shehbaz stated, adding the passengers were going to their hometowns to celebrate Eid and visit their loved-ones.

"The terrorists did not care about the sanctity of Ramazan and cruelly took the passengers out of the train and held them captive at an abandoned place," he recounted. "The security forces came up with a strategy and saved lives of passengers, including children, and eliminated terrorists," he said.

"We should be thankful to the security forces under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Corps Commander Quetta, intelligence agencies and the Zarrar Company, which rescued 339 passengers and eliminated 33 terrorists," he added.

He said that the hostage crisis was against the culture and traditions of Balochistan and added that "such deliberate and inhumane acts exposed the true nature" of those insurgents and "shattered any pretence of legitimacy" they claimed.

"Let there be no doubt that any attempt to destabilise our homeland through such treachery will be met with the full and unyielding might of our state. It is not merely a battle against militant outfit but a war against an ideology of lawlessness and despair."

Shehbaz said that a meeting of the country's leadership would be called for consultation on the issue of terrorism, as was done after the terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar in 2014. "Pakistan will not be able to make progress without elimination of terrorism," he stressed.

"We needed unity and national solidarity which will provide support to the armed forces in the fight against terrorism and the Khawarij," said the prime minister, while referring to the terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He pointed out that Balochistan was the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area and people from all provinces were living there. He expressed the view that Pakistan would not make progress and achieve prosperity without bringing Balochistan at par with other provinces.

The termed the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award in 2010 a big achievement of the national leadership – Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. "Punjab financially contributed for the development of K-P [Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa] and Balochistan during the approval of the award," he recalled.

He lamented that Punjab gave Rs600 billion for K-P over the years but no visible development projects were executed in that province. "Pakistan will not make any progress without elimination of terrorism from K-P and Balochistan."

The prime minister said officers and Jawans were sacrificing their lives in K-P and Balochistan to save the people of Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism. "I, on behalf of people and governments of Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, pay tribute to the security forces for their bravery," he added.

The prime minister said that the release of thousands of Taliban from jail caused this surge in terrorism. He regretted the language used by some elements within the country against the armed forces and Pakistan. "Poisoned propaganda against the armed forces is not acceptable and intolerable," he said.

"We have to honour the sacrifices of our armed forces, who leave behind their loved ones to protect future of the country." In a reference to India, he said, Pakistan's eastern neighbour was unleashing propaganda, which was first spewed by some elements within the country.

While speaking about inadequate facilities available to the Levies forces in Balochistan, Shehbaz underlined the need for raising a new force equipped with modern weapons in Balochistan and assured that the Centre was ready to provide all necessary resources to counter the menace of terrorism.

Earlier, the prime minister received a two-hour-long briefing on the security situation in Balochistan. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Balochistan Governor Jaffar Mandokhail, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Army Chief General Asim Munir, parliamentarians and high level officials.

During the briefing, the participants were apprised of the prevailing security situation in Balochistan, ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and an update on the successful conduct of recent operation related to Jaffer Express.

The participants reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering resolve to uphold a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism. They unanimously condemned the barbaric act of terrorism against Jaffar Express and offered Fateha for the Shuhada of the attack, honouring their ultimate sacrifice.

While interacting with members of the Balochistan Assembly and politicians from across the political spectrum, Shehbaz appreciated the resolve of political leaders against terrorist organisations and their commitment to legislating comprehensive long-term reforms and development plans for Balochistan.

During the Quetta visit, the prime minister also met with the troops, who conducted the operation against the terrorists and lauded the bravery and professionalism of the security forces. He also visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta, where they met the injured victims and affected families.