Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday pledged to spearhead the war against terrorism for his people and country and take the fight against militants to its logical end, come what may.
“Operation Zarb-e-Azb will continue till the last terrorist is eliminated,” said the premier while chairing a high-level meeting of civil-military leaders. “No distinction will be made between those who have committed acts of terror and those who harbour, facilitate and finance them.”
The PM said the nation cannot forget or forgive the atrocities committed by ‘these barbarians’ in Peshawar, Quetta and Wagah. “The sacrifices given by the people of Pakistan, including our security forces, are unparalleled in this war and the blood of martyrs will not go in vain,” he said.
He underscored the need for national unity to defeat the terrorist and extremist ideology, which, he said, will be defeated at all costs. “Every citizen of the country, irrespective of his caste, sect or faith, will be protected,” the PM said, adding that no cause is holier than protecting the life and property of every citizen of Pakistan.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif as well as DG ISI, DG Military Operations, DG MI and DG ISPR attended the meeting which reviewed progress on Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber One, under way in North Waziristan and Khyber Agencies, respectively.
The member also discussed modalities of a national action plan on counterterrorism and extremism. Attorney General of Pakistan Salman Aslam Butt later joined the meeting and briefed the member about legal perspective and judiciary’s role in fighting against terrorism.
The meeting expressed resolve to ensure swift and effective implementation of the approved action plan. The member also discussed various short term and medium term steps required to be taken for eliminating terror networks in every nook and corner of the country.
Earlier, the PM held meetings with his legal team and senior cabinet members to study in detail the possible measures that can be taken to eliminate the threat.
It was unanimously decided that effective and immediate measures should be taken for the protection of lives and property of the people of Pakistan, the official source at the PM House said.
The PM, during meeting with his legal team, discussed finding permanent solution of issues and to remove lacunas in the existing laws.
PM to meet parliamentary leaders today
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called a meeting of the parliamentary leaders today (Wednesday) at the PM House to finalise the National Action Plan on Counter Terrorism Measures and Extremism.
According to a PM House statement, the meeting will be held at 11 am and will deliberate on the suggestions put forward for an effective course of action against terrorism.
The meeting of the parliamentary leaders is summoned in the wake of the Peshawar school tragedy in which over 140 innocent lives were lost.
Today’s meeting will also be attended by army chief General Raheel Sharif and DG ISI Rizwan Akhtar as well as all parliamentary leaders including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s chief Imran Khan.
Sources said a comprehensive briefing will be organised after the meeting and civil and military leadership will jointly share their future counterterrorism strategy with the nation. They said some unusual announcement might be made after civil military leadership meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2014.
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He can't even touch the Lal Masjid Abdul Aziz, a documented terrorist sympathizer.....and he is going to lead the country's war against terror ?
Ideologically, it flows from Punjab towards FATA. Militarily, it flows from FATA towards Punjab. Keep Punjab on your watch or it will all go in vain.
Our PM is a good businessman. Its about time someone enlightened him that he is not a good statesman what to talk about leading the war against terrorism and it elimination operation.
Even a kid of 7 would tell you that it is Gen Shareef who is incharge and not this power avid PM of ours.
If Nawaz Sharif is going to spearhead us then we are surely doomed. He failed miserably in his previous 2 stints as a PM and so shall he this time as he does not seem to be a person who learns from his mistakes.
Anyone else laugh out loud at reading this?
The spin men can say it's nawaz spearheading it, but we all know that General raheel is running the show.
If Sharif is going to be the "spearhead" I suggest he take a few of those little blue pills because so far his approach seems a bit limp.
KPK gov was warned through letter they were informed about the attack before hand on school but they were too busy planning for 'Naya Pakistan' and dancing on stage! Shame on them
Hard to imagine Mian Saab "spearheading" anything but his own family business. Haven't heard him utter as much as a word since the Peshawar incident - he is just another Mamoon Hussain in disguise. We should be ashamed he is our PM.
How many times PM and others going to repeat the same thing again and again? We want action not just statements day after day. Find those scums and kill them
The journey to secular Islamic state will start with destroying fatwa and rumors factories.Army is demolishing bomb factories civil government will have to stop propaganda factories first.
Words, words, words. Mian Sahib is all words and zero action.
Looks like with the Peshawar attack, NS just pulled a little 9/11 of his own. Nothing makes you popular like going to war. PM and COAS are in this together I think.