Interim Afghan govt should undertake concrete measures towards denying its soil to be used for transnational terrorism: PM Shehbaz

PESHAWAR, August 01 (SABAH): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited Peshawar on Tuesday.

According to the statement issued by the PM Office, during the visit, the Prime Minister was briefed on the overall security situation in the province with focus on the Khar suicide blast, status of investigations under process and counter terrorism efforts being undertaken to dismantle the terrorists’ network by disrupting the linkages between planners, executioners, and abettors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted with concern the involvement of the Afghan citizens in the suicide blasts and liberty of action available to the elements hostile to Pakistan in planning and executing such cowardly attacks on innocent civilians from the sanctuaries across the border. “Interim Afghan government should undertake concrete measures towards denying its soil to be used for transnational terrorism”, the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the emergency efforts undertaken by the Army in the evacuation of wounded personnel from Khar to Peshawar, saving many lives.

Prime Minister and COAS also visited the wounded personnel under treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and inquired about their health. The Prime Minister instructed the concerned authorities to render best possible healthcare services to the wounded patients until their full recovery.

While interacting with the bereaved family members of the victims of Khar Suicide Blast, PM Shehbaz Sharif assured them that the entire nation stands with them in this hour of grief and shares the burden of their losses. “These cowardly attacks by terrorists cannot weaken our resolve to eradicate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan. Security Forces and law enforcement agencies with the support of the Nation will ensure that those responsible for the dastardly attacks are brought to justice as soon as possible”, PM remarked.

Earlier on arrival, the Prime Minister and COAS were received by Commander Peshawar Corps. Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President and Ameer Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Caretaker CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Azam Khan were also present on the occasion.