Karachi operation: Nawaz seeks to set the record straight
Says operation is against criminals, not any political party
A file photo of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
SIALKOT:
The prime minister on Saturday sought to allay concerns about the ongoing surgical operation in Karachi, saying it was not a plot against any political party. “The crackdown is targeting only criminals and is an attempt to rid the city of the prevalent gun culture,” he told businessmen at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
The prime minister’s statement came a day after senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar alleged selectivity in the Karachi operation. “This [Karachi operation] is an attempt to crush a progressive party [MQM],” he claimed in a fiery speech on the floor of the National Assembly on Friday.
Nawaz Sharif, however, defended the operation, saying that it has resulted in a marked decrease in heinous crimes like kidnapping for ransom and target killing. He reiterated his government’s resolve to take the Karachi operation to a logical conclusion.
He said his government was committed to ensuring peace in Karachi so that investors could utilise the excellent infrastructure of the port city.
He hoped that normality would soon return to Karachi and the metropolis would turn into a paradise for industrialists and investors from across the globe.
The premier said the government had not launched the operation to gain any political favour, but rather to fulfil its national obligations. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure peace in the country.”
War on sectarianism
Speaking to members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz at the residence of Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif, the prime minister reiterated his government’s resolve to rid the country of twin menaces of sectarianism and terrorism.
Pakistan Army’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the North Waziristan tribal region has broken the back of terrorists, he said. “The network of terrorists has been decimated. They are on the run now, and the sporadic incidents of terrorism will soon come to an end,” he added. “The organisations involved in fuelling sectarianism will also be eliminated.”
Sialkot-Lahore expressway
In the meeting at the SCCI, the premier announced plans for constructing the Sialkot-Lahore expressway, which, he said, would cut travel time between the two cities by almost an hour. He said his government was also making efforts to tackle challenges like chronic power crisis, natural gas depletion and ailing economy.
He hoped the nation will see positive changes before the tenure of the incumbent government ends. He said the government was planning to generate 3,600MW from LNG, buy 4,000MW from China and add 10,000MW more by the end of 2017.
The prime minister said the country’s foreign exchange reserves had increased and international institutions were also recognising Pakistan’s improved economic indicators. He said the government had reduced bank borrowing to give space to the business community.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2015.
The prime minister on Saturday sought to allay concerns about the ongoing surgical operation in Karachi, saying it was not a plot against any political party. “The crackdown is targeting only criminals and is an attempt to rid the city of the prevalent gun culture,” he told businessmen at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
The prime minister’s statement came a day after senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar alleged selectivity in the Karachi operation. “This [Karachi operation] is an attempt to crush a progressive party [MQM],” he claimed in a fiery speech on the floor of the National Assembly on Friday.
Nawaz Sharif, however, defended the operation, saying that it has resulted in a marked decrease in heinous crimes like kidnapping for ransom and target killing. He reiterated his government’s resolve to take the Karachi operation to a logical conclusion.
He said his government was committed to ensuring peace in Karachi so that investors could utilise the excellent infrastructure of the port city.
He hoped that normality would soon return to Karachi and the metropolis would turn into a paradise for industrialists and investors from across the globe.
The premier said the government had not launched the operation to gain any political favour, but rather to fulfil its national obligations. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure peace in the country.”
War on sectarianism
Speaking to members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz at the residence of Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif, the prime minister reiterated his government’s resolve to rid the country of twin menaces of sectarianism and terrorism.
Pakistan Army’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb in the North Waziristan tribal region has broken the back of terrorists, he said. “The network of terrorists has been decimated. They are on the run now, and the sporadic incidents of terrorism will soon come to an end,” he added. “The organisations involved in fuelling sectarianism will also be eliminated.”
Sialkot-Lahore expressway
In the meeting at the SCCI, the premier announced plans for constructing the Sialkot-Lahore expressway, which, he said, would cut travel time between the two cities by almost an hour. He said his government was also making efforts to tackle challenges like chronic power crisis, natural gas depletion and ailing economy.
He hoped the nation will see positive changes before the tenure of the incumbent government ends. He said the government was planning to generate 3,600MW from LNG, buy 4,000MW from China and add 10,000MW more by the end of 2017.
The prime minister said the country’s foreign exchange reserves had increased and international institutions were also recognising Pakistan’s improved economic indicators. He said the government had reduced bank borrowing to give space to the business community.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2015.