Commitment reiterated : ‘Nation will emerge victorious in war against terrorism’

Shahbaz says nation has not forgotten the Peshawar carnage.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the nation would emerge victorious in the war against terrorism.

He was speaking to a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) activists. Sharif said victory was the only option in the war against terrorism. He said the nation agreed on the need to eradicate terrorism, religious extremism and sectarianism. Sharif said the nation would be rid of intolerance and religious extremism.

The chief minister said the nation would be rid of terrorists who had done great damage to the national economy and the country. Sharif said the military and the political leadership and the state apparatus were determined to eradicate terrorism. He said this was necessary to ensure national progress, stability and secure the future of the following generations.

Sharif said a coordinated strategy to eradicate terrorism had been formulated with political consensus. He said the formulation of the National Action Plan by the national leadership would play a pivotal role in this regard. Sharif said no stone would be left unturned to ensure the effective implementation of the plan. He said a counterterrorism force had been raised for the province and vigilance committees were being constituted at the union council level.

The chief minister said efforts were being made to secure citizens’ lives and properties. He said laws were being made more stringent by introducing legislation.  Sharif said extraordinary times required extraordinary measures. He said national progress and prosperity would remain a chimera till peace was fostered.

He said terrorism, extremism and sectarianism would be eradicated through collective efforts and wisdom. Sharif said the nation favoured dealing with terrorists with an iron hand. He said it was the need of the hour to hold those guilty of shedding the blood of innocent citizens to account.

Sharif said the nation had not forgotten the carnage perpetrated in Peshawar. He said those responsible for the massacre would be punished. Sharif said the time was ripe to rid the nation of terrorism. He said the enemies of the nation would be defeated with national unity. Sharif said the people would foil the plans of anti-state elements. He said the nation was destined for victory in the war against terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.