Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan could not progress unless terrorism was eradicated from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balutchistan. Thursday, chairing a meeting on the security situation in Balutchistan, the Prime Minister was informed by the chief minister Sarfraz Bugti.
Referring to the recent attack on a traveler train, Prime Minister Shehbaz condemned the attackers for ignoring the sacred character of Ramadan. “Defenseless passengers were taken hostage in the desert. Under the leadership of the army chief, the security forces managed to save 339 passengers,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the public and the government to the Zarrar company of the Special Services Group (SSG), saying that it had been specially created to counter such terrorist threats.
Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed that the whole nation was crying about the attack on the Jaffer Express. “Pakistan cannot afford another tragedy. Everyone must play its role in security insurance. Balutchistan’s progress is essential for the overall development of Pakistan,” he added.
By questioning the resurgence of terrorism, PM said: “Terrorism had already been crushed-so why he resurfaced? Unfortunately, the remarks of certain people on this incident were so inappropriate that they cannot even be repeated.”
He criticized what he called “enemy propaganda”, declaring: “It is disappointing to see how our oriental neighbor promoted the story of the opponents of Pakistan”.
The Prime Minister also condemned the release of certain activists in the past. “Some members of the Taliban with dark stories have been released. The poison is spit against the state and the army. There is no greater act of hostility than to defame our soldiers,” he said.
He praised the armed forces for their sacrifices, in particular in Balutchistan and KP, adding that their efforts had prevented thousands of children from being orphans.
Prime Minister Shehbaz warned against the actions of “infiltrators and enemies disguised as friends” who, he said, harm Pakistan. “If we do not eliminate terrorism, our journey to development will be derailed,” he said.
The PM also announced plans for a conference on all parties (APC) to discuss the challenges of Balutchistan. “Terrorists will use all the tactics to create a division among people. For the moment, national unity is the need for the time,” he said.
“I did not come to Balutchistan for a political score,” he said. “Even now, we have to learn from the past and move forward. The political leadership of the whole country should meet to discuss the challenges that Pakistan is confronted,” he added.
