“The government cannot leave the country to be a playing-field of terrorists. We will be handling them with an iron fist,” says Prime minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday vowed to take on terrorists with an iron fist hours after a suicide bombing killed at least 30 people at a policeman’s funeral in Quetta.
“The government cannot leave the country to be a playing-field of terrorists. We will be handling them with an iron fist,” Nawaz said, while urging officials to present a draft of the Counter Terrorism Strategy by August 13.
The prime minister also directed the interior minister to reach Quetta at the earliest to show solidarity with the people.
In a detailed discussion over the security situation with Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the premier expressed his views that the counter terrorism strategy would play a vital role in enhancing the role of security agencies in countering terrorism and it should therefore be implemented soon.
Nawaz also asked the interior minister to submit a detailed report on the Balochistan situation once the latter returns from the province.
Meanwhile, lauding the courage and commitment of law enforcement agencies across the country, Nawaz asked Nisar to ensure all help to the families of the martyred and injured.
The prime minister also acknowledged the services of DIG operations Balochistan Fayyaz Sumbal and all those who laid down their lives in the line of their duty. “Their sacrifices will not go in vain and the perpetrators of the blast will be brought to book at any cost”.
The premier directed the interior minister to remain in constant contact with the provincial security authorities and asked him to meet the security personnel in person to boost their morale.
Eid security
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also directed to beef up security across the country on “Chand Raat” and Eid-ul-Fitr across the country.
He directed the provinces and the federal government to devise a security plan.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the provincial governments are directed to inform the federation over security measures being taken on Eid. It also asked the provinces to inform if federal law enforcement agencies were needed to maintain peace in the cities.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2013.
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Yes by adding tax on terrorist attacks.
Will the procalimed IRON FIST will be manufactured by the ITTEFAQUE STEEL./ FOUNDRIES.... vow more business
Mr. Prime Minister,
Many before you have done the same song and dance, This sounds like another empty vessel, people are not buying it anymore, As the saying goes, Stick and Stones may break their bones but empty words will not harm them.
This is absolutely shattering news. Even at a funeral these dehumanized creatures attack and kill with intent to terrorize and commit 'jihad.' This cannot be Jihad. This is the workings of a plan made in the darker recesses of an intelligence agency and funded out of 'secret funds.'
If the PMLN is formulating an anti-terror policy by 13th August 2013, the question is, when will the implementation start..........never? Or after Pakistan is in complete tatters. Salams
As America and the rest of the World know - Pakistani leaders are fond of saying the right things but one must wait and judge them by actions. Sharif should be placing pressure on the military where it belongs - you have one of the largest and most expensive armies on the planet yet almost half of Pakistan is under the control of militants - time to step up to the plate and do their job.
I wonder that each new massacre in this country triggers a fresh wave of commitment from the authorities! Alas.... How the patrons(authorities) can sleeps peacefully in nights, in a time, when there citizens are butchered every day. You can not clearly draw line of how to act unless you think it as your own war.....since your people are losing lives.
appreciate his views. May Allah bless him with success.
What's stopping him?
Thats empty rhetoric Mr PM.
PMLN is finally coming to terms with what it's dealing with. That might mean going back on its pre-election rhetoric but at least it's good news that it's waking up to reality. Meanwhile PTI is sadly trying to keep its head as far buried in the sand as possible (and I say that as someone who voted for PTI).
Shopping list: 1) Pass long stalled terrorist legislation! 2) Ban "Talking Heads" on TV shows that spew conspiracy theories and sympathize with TTP! 3) No more "civilian" trials for TTP types, move to Military courts and jails! 4) Go on TV often and tell the public that this will be a long war that must be fought without rules of conduct against an enemy that has so far done the same! 5) FIGHT!
I would have liked Mr. Sharif to ensure by announcing that Rana Sanaullah was being sidetracked and the chief of ASWJ, LeJ, TTP etc. and its workers are being arrested and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that death penalty will be awarded in these cases.
Chief Minister of Punjab should make sure that southern Punjab is no longer a safe haven for Punjabi Taliban, some of whom were involved in D I Khan Jailbreak also.
Time for Prime Minister of Pakistan, to take action in cooperation with the Army. Army needs your instructions to clean your mess.
When this "iron fist" will be used, after negotiations or before??? Should have been used this iron fist yesterday but still, please use it now and not tomorrow.
Iron-fist as in Iron-fist??? Lolzzz!!! You gotta be kidding dude...
It is about time we stop calling these animals muslims because they are not! When will you stop this appeasement? No dialogue with terrorists! These people should be killed without mercy because they are not humans! It is even an insult to the animals to call these people animals, they are even lower! My curses on them for destroying the lives of our citizens!
A iron fist with a 4.3 million dollar watch on the wrist.
Hey, we need to negotiate.... remember............... Now Imran Khan will start crying ...talks ...talks... and will go public and thereby ripping away the strength from the arms of the parliament.
Include terrorist supporters also in the list Mr PM. catch the ones who are running suicide bomer schools. If your government does not know the addresses of schools, please take help of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who has visited and interviewed all these would be bombers. I am sure you already know the addres of Hafiz Saeed and his associates. Let us hope your fist is made of right steel and does not crack down.
hope the fist comes down faster,and has iron determination behind it
That 'Iron Fist' should be made of real steel combined with new ideas not picked up from old junk,
Why do we need a strategy? All we need are F-16s. That has obviously kept us safe over the past few years from imaginary enemies. I think I am going to substitute clown for politician. As in, our clowns need to start taking things seriously. These clowns will find it is in no laughing matter. A clowns inaction, has consequences.
It's about time to change the terrorism policy. I hope Nawaz Sharif can deliver what he is committing right now.
Mr. PM this rhetoric cannot save lives only a extreme push terrorising the terrorists will help. Army should go all out and finish the job even if it takes a yr or two. Breathing space to terrorists creates more terrorists.
We've all heard this before, however ACTIONS are louder than words. The vows of politicians are all hollow. The only way to solve the insanity is for the population to take the issue of security into their own hands by not turning a blind eye to such activities. By doing so, they are just as culpable as the terrorists.
Just empty words. Where is the action?
Finally he realises. Now how much time will IK and PTI take to understand this?
Iron fist?? Oh really..
Whose fist are you going to borrow, sir ??
We must define who is terrorist this must include those who carry arms against state but also those who sympathies with terrorists or those who justify terrorism or anyone starting debate on ;whose war is this'..or abuse religion for politics.
God speed
sounds empty rhetoric to me
“The government cannot leave the country to be a playing-field of terrorists. We will be handling them with an iron fist,” Nawaz said, while urging officials to present a draft of the Counter Terrorism Strategy by August 13.
So what have the authorities been doing for past two decades, when issue of terrorism has been on international basis, especially cross border related into Afghanistan as well as India ? Which August 13th, is he referring to ? 2013 or perhaps he meant next couple of years ! We have heard too many brave statements, however very little convictions or actual actions !
The will of Police and other law enforcing agencies is more important than iron fist.
Though Chaudhry Nisar said there will be no ban ob cellular phones, but in view of the security situation, I would request the PM to shut down all the cell phones from 6am till 10am during which the Eid prayers will be held and Namazi's will be returning home.
This is a must to ensure safety and security of every Muslim who will be going to offer Eid prayers.