National resolve: All Taliban are terrorists, says Shahbaz

CM says fair distribution of resources is vital to overcome extremism

LAHORE:

“The Taliban cannot be classified as good and bad. They are all terrorists and have caused harm to the country,” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

He was addressing a conference on the security situation.

“All nations face testing times. Only those that work with courage and determination rise to the challenges,” the chief minister said.

He said the December 16 terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar had united the nation against terrorists. He said the unity would rewrite the history.



“It is time for us to unite and eradicate the menace of terrorism. He praised Pakistan Army, police and citizens for rendering numerous sacrifices in the country’s war on terrorism.

He said national leaders and institutions were on the same page in the fight against terrorists. “More than 50,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives in the war. It is time for us to learn from the mistakes made in the past and move to achieve the goal of a peaceful Pakistan,” Sharif said.

He said peace was linked to providing education, health, justice and socio-economic services. He stressed the need for taking steps to attract foreign investment and boost trade and economic activity.

“It is our duty to rid the country of oppression, injustice, corruption and nepotism. We should give our youths a safe and peaceful Pakistan.”

Sharif said it was sad to see that the country’s elite living a life of luxury while the common man struggled to get access to education, health and justice. He said injustice had to be checked to fight extremism and terrorism.

“Corruption, nepotism and all forms of injustice need to be curbed. A fair distribution of resources will help us prevent extremism from taking roots in the society,” he said.

The chief minister stressed the need for changing the country’s police culture. He said police should effectively play its role of providing relief at police stations.

Sharif said police would have to play a crucial role in the war on terror. He said there were laws against wall-chalking, hate speech and the misuse of loudspeakers. The government had now made new laws to take stringent action those not abiding by the rules, he said.

The chief minister asked police to keep record of those staying at hotels, motels and inns. He stressed the need for improving the intelligence system.

Home Minister Shuja Khanzada told the conference the spirit and determination shown by the nation during natural calamities was now needed to fight terrorism. He said victory was the only option in the war.

Provincial ministers Atta Manika, Bilal Yasin and Rana Mashhood Ahmed; National Assembly members Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and Afzal Khokhar; Provincial Assembly Member Rana Sanaullah, the chief secretary, the additional chief secretary, the advocate general, the IGP and the home secretary attended the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2015.