President Alvi, PM Shehbaz express resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country’s soil  


ISLAMABAD, Dec 21, (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharrif have expressed resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country’s soil.  

In a statement issued on Wednesday, President Dr. Arif Alvi lauded security forces for carrying out a successful operation against terrorists in Bannu and expressed resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country’s soil.  

In a statement, he termed the success a result of the professionalism of security forces and their unwavering commitment against terrorism. He said the entire nation stands with its brave security forces on operations against terrorists.

President Alvi paid tribute to the officials of the armed forces who were martyred during the operation. He prayed for the speedy recovery of injured.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made it clear that the state will not surrender or bow down before any terrorist outfit or organisation after 25 terrorists were killed in an operation in Bannu.

Condemning the terrorist incidents taking place in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PM Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, said that nefarious attempts to spread chaos in Pakistan will be dealt with strictly according to the law and Constitution.

The government will deal and address the terrorists and their external facilitators who disseminate and support it in Pakistan, he added. The prime minister termed terrorism as a sensitive issue of national security, saying that collective thinking and action plan are needed in this regard.

Paying tribute to the armed forces fighting against terrorism, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that nation will end terrorism by supporting its brave forces. He added that the sacrifices made by the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies will not be forgotten.

The premier said that the operations — Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad — were important measures to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan. He also said that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not go to waste.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the main responsibility of peace lies with the provinces, however, the government cannot turn blind eye to these issues. He added that the federal government will work with the provinces to fight against terrorism.

The premier said that in order to end terrorism, it is important to increase the capacity and the efficiency of the provincial authorities and for that, the government will assist in improving the professional capacity of counter-terrorism departments in all provinces.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the Centre will also help the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government with the restructuring of its CTD, adding that they will be provided with all the facilities including modern weapons.