Fighting extremism: Nation will defeat terrorists, says Shahbaz

Says govt working to eliminate sectarianism, extremism.

LAHORE: The nation is determined to defeat the terrorists who have destroyed the peace of the country, said Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday.

He was speaking at a meeting with several provincial lawmakers.

“The terrorists will find no place to hide among the 180 million courageous people of Pakistan. The country will be made a haven of peace by winning the war against terrorists,” he said.

The chief minister said that the Pakistan Army was successfully fighting terrorists to restore peace to the country. “The elimination of terrorists is essential for survival and stability of the country. Those shedding blood in worship places, education institutions and streets of the country deserve no leniency,” he said.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the country will be rid of terrorism, extremism, sectarianism and other problems,” he said.

CM visits Saudi Embassy: Sharif visited the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad to express condolences with acting ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, Muhammad Jasim Al Khalidi, over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. The chief minister recorded his impressions in the condolence book. On the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that King Abdullah would be remembered as a sagacious and world leader. “King Abdullah had deep affection for the Pakistani people and was a sincere and true friend of Pakistan. He laid the foundation of a modern Saudi Arabia and played an active role for the unity of Muslim Ummah. Shahbaz Sharif said that in the death of King Abdullah, Pakistan had lost a sincere friend,” he said.

Separately, Sharif expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the sad demise of mother of Asad Ashraf, a former member Punjab Assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2015.