Verdict of the nation: Days of terrorists are numbered, says Nawaz

Political parties have backed formation of ‘special tribunals’, manned by military officers, to try terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that terrorism and extremism will be fought by all means available and all measures will be taken to ensure success as he took the nation into confidence over the national plan to counter terrorism, devised through a consensus between parliamentary leaders and the military leadership, Express News reported. 

The plan was forged after 149 people, mostly schoolchildren, were killed when Taliban gunmen attacked an army-run school in Peshawar on December 16.

The government convened a meeting of all parliamentary parties to devise a plan to decisively counter terrorism. Parliamentarians had on Wednesday finalised proposals following a marathon 11-hour meeting at the PM House.

Read our report of the meeting here.

Comments of the Army chief can be read here.

All stories related to the Peshawar school attack can be read here.



12:35am

Pakistan’s soil will not be used for terrorism against any country, and we hope that no country will allow its soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan, says Nawaz.

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12:32am

Nawaz termed the plan a historical achievement, and congratulated the political leadership of the country. He also appreciated the role of armed forces.

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12:31am

As a father I can understand how heavy these coffins were for their parents.

With their blood, our children have drawn a line between us and terrorists, says Nawaz.

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12:24am

Detailing the 20-point national action plan, Nawaz says:

• After the Peshawar incident, government decided to proceed with the execution of extremists convicted in terror related cases. Government has already started with its implementation


• Special courts, headed by the officers of armed forces, will be established for the speedy trial of terrorists. These courts will be established for the term of two years


• Formation of armed militia will not be allowed in the country


• Nacta will be revived and made effective


• There will be a crackdown on hate-speech, and action will be taken against newspapers, magazines contributing to the spread of such speech


• Financial sources of terrorists and terror organisations will be cut


• Banned outfits will not be allowed to operate under different names


• Special anti-terrorism force will be raised


• Measures will be taken to stop religious extremism and to protect minorities


• Madrassas will be regularised and reformed


• Print and electronic media will not be allowed to give any space to terrorists


• Keeping the rehabilitation of IDPs as the top most priority, administrative and development reforms in FATA will be expedited


• Communication system of terrorist organisations will be destroyed


• Social media and internet will not be allowed to be used by terrorists to spread propaganda and hate speech, though exact process for that will be finalised


• Like the rest of the country, no space will be given to extremism in any part of the Punjab


• Operation against terrorists in Karachi will be taken to its logical conclusion


• In the interest of political reconciliation, Balochistan government will be given complete authority by all stakeholders


• Elements spreading sectarian violence will be prosecuted


• Comprehensive policy will be formed for registration of Afghan refugees


• To give provincial intelligence agencies access to communication of terrorists and to strengthen anti-terror agencies through basic reforms in the criminal justice system. Constitutional amendments and legislations will be carried out for this purpose

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12:15am

Prime Minister addressing the nation.

Terrorists have targeted our future by attacking Army Public School in Peshawar and killing over 130 children, says prime minister.

Sacrifices of our children will not go in vain.

Terrorists will have to pay the price for their heinous act, and they will pay soon, says Nawaz.

After assuming power in May last year, the government took the menace of terrorism seriously. After talks failed with the extremist elements, in June this year Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched. Terrorists started targeting innocent children after being forced into the corner.

But let me assure them that we have pledged to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

Pakistan has changed after Peshawar incident, now there is no space for extremism, terrorism, sectarianism and intolerance, says Nawaz adding that “We will not only eliminate terrorism, will abolish the ideology of extremism.”

He added that the plan had been unanimously approved after a marathon 10-hour long meeting.