PM urges collective efforts to eliminate terrorism

Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif has called for collective efforts to crush the menace of terrorism and steer the country on the path of sustainable development.

Chairing a meeting of apex committee of the National Action Plan in Islamabad today, he said it is our collective responsibility to ensure the writ of the state.

He noted that a soft state can never be an attractive place for the domestic and foreign investors, emphasizing that it is the prime responsibility of all the institutions to play their part in eliminating the menace.

The Prime Minister said the personnel of armed forces have been rendering sacrifices in the war on terrorism and also registered successes which have no precedence.

He however emphasized the armed forces are not solely responsible to fight this scourage. He said the federal and provincial governments as well as all the institutions will have to play their part.

The Prime Minister held out a firm assurance to provide the necessary equipment and resources to the security forces in the fight against terrorism.  He said legislation will also be done to strengthen the hands of the law enforcement agencies. He said we will also have to counter fake news and disinformation through legislation.

The Prime Minister underlined the need for greater coordination and harmony amongst the institutions to achieve concrete results and ensure long term stability.

Shehbaz Sharif noted that there should also be clarity of purpose in political and religious ranks in the war against terrorism. This is our war and we have to fight it to protect our future generations. He said we have to move forward with consensus and mutual consultation whilst rising above political differences to achieve our goal.

The Prime Minister said kinetic response is not the only solution to this menace but we also have to undertake non-kinetic measures in order to counter the narrative of terrorists.

The Prime Minister stressed active diplomacy with the regional countries in order to tighten the noose around the terrorists.