Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR: I’m a prime minister of every Pakistani irrespective of their religion and ethnicity, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday while speaking to the families of the victims of recent terror attacks in Peshawar.
Prime Minister Nawaz arrived in Peshawar today to meet those who were affected by the fresh wave of attacks. The city has come under a series of terrorist attacks, including a blast in the Qissa Khwani bazaar, an attack on the All Saints Church and a deadly attack on a van.
Nawaz said his government will ensure minorities get their due rights. He lamented the twin blasts inside a church.
During a press conference, the prime minister said stable law and order situation in every part of Pakistan is his government’s first priority.
“It is a difficult task but we are working on it since the very beginning,” he assured, adding that a special security force will be constituted to control terrorism.
He further said that new laws are being devised for this purpose.
Linking security to economic development, the prime minister said financial prosperity greatly depends on the security situation of the country.
Nawaz announced to give Rs50 million as compensation to the families of the victims of terror attacks. He said he will discuss the distribution method with Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak.
Expressing sorrow over the loss of lives, the prime minister said that the money cannot replace the dead, but will lessen the loss.
COMMENTS (47)
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@Kbaloch: You mean you Indians don't agree. Lest you forget, Nawaz Sharif won a majority in Balochistan. By the way, Nawaz Sharif is of Kashmiri origin. Stop trumpeting ethnic division and start preaching unity for humanity (Pakistan included).
Those who consider him representing Punjab only are living in fool's paradise... PML-N has won seats from ALL four provinces of Pakistan. It has already visible representation in AJK and G-B Assemblies. Despite having largest representation in Balochistan Assembly, he gave the opportunity to BNP to nominate its CM. In KPK, he didn't side with Maulana to form government and let another minority party PTI to form its government and gave Taliban Khan a "chance" to run the government. We all know how KPK is being ruled! Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is truly the real leader of Pakistan!
we balochistanis don't agree
@The Only Normal Person Here:
Especially Taliban. Me and you not so much.
Nice sentiment. We should all think this way.
He is the PM on PUNJAB ONLY.
The guy has a point as long as he also recognises that those who voted for him placed him in this position. They are also able to replace him if he does not follow the mandate on which he was elected!!
Rex Minor
It is great to hear Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef say this but just because he is saying it does not make it so. Can he really say with a straight face that he wants to be the prime minister of all Pakistanis irrespective of their race, ethnicity or religion? Unfortunately, I don't think he can. His personal record and the record of his party speaks much louder than his empty words. Only one example out of dozens need to be cited to make this point. The worst terror attack on a religious group in Lahore took place when his PML(N) was in power in the Punjab. Two Ahmadiyya mosques were attacked by terrorists while the police stood idly by. 90 innocent Pakistanis were killed and many more were severely injured. The ISI's recently released Abbotabad Commission report unambiguously found that it had warned the government of PML (N) in Lahore about these impending attacks. The ISI report unambiguously finds that the government of Mr. Sharif's younger brother not only failed to act, it actively supported the subsequent terrorist attack on Jinnah Hospital where scores of wounded Ahmadis were being treated. If the prime minister really wants to put his ill gotten money where his mouth his, he should initiate an inquiry against his loyal brother's government and charge it with complicity in terrorism against a long suffering Muslim minority community. I for one am not holding my breath.
@ Bhai Log You represent a mentality that if you are in Power, Pakistan is for Every one ...if not than get into racial Slur.....get a life...
Hi,
I am an Ahmadi Muslim, are you also my prime minister? Should I feel safe?
Mian Sahab is a sweet double talker and we Indians know that better than Pakistanis.
@bhai log: I think he gave a very mature statement and yes he does represent all Pakistanis but sadly it seems that even good intentions and well meaning comments do not register with some citizens. He is speaking out against criminal killings of the Christian minority in a Pashtun dominated part of the nation. Instead you want to undermine his right to rule? International observers have termed Pakistan's elections largely fair despite irregularities in Karachi. The PM won the majority of seats and hence has the mandate to rule. If you don't want democracy, simply say it, but no one can deny that the PM represents all of Pakistan because he won the majority of votes and has the support of the majority of Pakistanis. This is what democratic rule means and this is the reason why Pakistan has seen improvement in the last 5 months according to most international analysts.
@nadeem "..Elections are already done 5 months ago. Time to turn your words into deeds..." If people had voted for IK, all our problems would have been solved in the first 90-days.
But the minorities vote does not count.
It would have been better if he said that Pakistan is equally for every citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, etc. But he has betrayed his sef-centredness by focy=using on himself and his premiership.
@bhai log: oh yes He represent us (ALL PUNJAB). Since he cant represent Karachi terrorist. Escpacially who claim to control 85 % of Karachi and claim they are most innocent while there supporter watched eating popcorn's how the terrorists are taken down holding indian weapons
Thats not enough.They want social justice and good governance .
You are the Prime Minister of Pakistan and became so only because you are the head of Pakistan MUSLIM League - N. If you stand for all religions and ethnicity in Pakistan, remove MUSLIM from the name of your party and rename it Pakistan League.
By 'minorities getting equal chance' he means that he will ensure all ethnic and religious minorities get equal chance of getting killed at the hands of extremists.
Couldn't believe as a PM he kept on mentioning his party's name. He is just a miserable talker, no leadership qualities, no vision to build the nation and tackle corruption. Talks about motorways, airports, underground railway when there are no jobs, food, law and order, and basic human rights.
Elections are already done 5 months ago. Time to turn your words into deeds.
Why don't we give peace a chance with PM Nawaz Sharif. Lets us treat him as Pakistan's PM and not only Punjab's. The PM is doing whatever he can by talking to the law enforcing agencies to bring normalcy to the country. In fact let us ask thisquestion - Where is Imran Khan who was supposed to look after the welfare of KP. He is nowhere in sight except Indian TVchannels where he gives interviews. Let him be there in KP at all times since his party is in power there. Imran was only seen giving big promises during election time that he will rid the country of terror attacks in 90 days. Then why in his own party ruled state it has not gone down. More than Nazwaz Sharif it is Imran who needs to do the explaining to the people of KP.
@bhai log: Typical mentality of a low-life section of a certain ethnicity......Get a life!
Pakistani Prime Minister is only the PM of a political party or the PM of all those MNAs who elected him as their PM.
The PM was not elected by Pakistani voters under the British-Indian, corrupt and failed Parliamentary Government System of Pakistan.
Therefore, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (MNS) is only the PM of PML-N or only the PM of 244 PML-N and some other MNAs who elected him as their PM in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Indeed, MNS is not the PM of Pakistan. He is only the PM of PML-N.
he can't even secure shiiate of pakistan which are not a minority securing other minorities are far apart by the way every neutral person knew Rana Sana ullah is directly involved in sectarian violence why did"nt Mr PM take notice of this?????????????
Actions should speak louder than words Mr. PM and unfortunately it hasn't been the case with you so far.
You are prime Minister for only Wealthy and businessman community. You don;t know the problems and sufferings of the poor people of this country,that is why you have been increasing electricity,gas and all essential items used by common man. We also not voted for you.We are true PTI supporters
Get a life Bhai Log.........I guess people like yourself like to be pakistanis when in power....
Not my PM - the electoral corruption in collaboration with the Judiciary has really depressed me and millions of other Pakistanis who wanted to bring a change in their beloved country.
But is Nawaz Sharif also the Prime Minister of Qingqi rickshaw drivers of Karachi, and of those who travel on these as passengers? Doesn't look like it.
Karachi
So what have you done practically to stop the killing of minorities.
PM for every Pakistani ? Irrespective of religious denomination? Then why are the Pakistani Ahmadi Muslims not allowed to vote?
This is not a true statement. Sounds like a Mullah talking.
I am an Ahmadi Muslim, give me my right to practice my religion the way I like !
Your actions are not shown as you are saying.
@bhai log
The honorable PM doesn't even represent Punjab as his mandate is fake and based on rigging.If we can get to know about the honest thumb verification of just 10 constituencies in Punjab, you will know that Punjab by and large didn't vote for him or his party in GE2013. I can bet that the result would be even more surprising than those of NA-256 and NA-258!
Have you seen a tigress? Not the stuffed one - PML(N) variety. The real one? Its MALALA!
Sir,
Your govt could not perform better than Musharraf, Despite being an industrialist, you can never compete with him in developing the economy. Musharraf was much much better than you !
Not mine please. I have no other choice but it is disgraceful for me to call you "My Prime Minister"
of mine as well? An Ahmadi Muslim
Not really, your mandate is fake!
Am I wrong is assuming that this country is also called "The Islamic Republic of Pakistan"? Perhaps not, more like "The Land of the Pure". Calling the kettle black I suppose.
If you are the PM of every Pakistan then have courage to say that Malala should win the Noble Peace Prize. I bet you or IK wouldn't have courage to say so. C'mon President Zardari - Wish Malala Good Luck!
No sir you represent Punjab only.
"Yes. I am the prime minister of every Pakistani. It doesn't matter that my mandate has started proving to be fake"
Of talibans as well?