ISLAMABAD: The prime minister has declared the nation of Pakistan will not surrender or would not bow to the menace of terrorism, after the military retook a counter-terrorism interrogation centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa two days after it was seized by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.
Condemning the latest wave of terrorism-related incidents involving militants from the Afghanistan-based group, Shehbaz Sharif said attempts to trigger chaos in Pakistan will face the full might of the law.
The government will deal with and combat such groups and their foreign facilitators who disseminate and support it in Pakistan, he added.
Terming terrorism as a sensitive issue involving national security, the prime minister said that collective thinking and an action plan were needed in this regard.
Paying tribute to the military fighting terrorism, Sharif said that nation will get rid of the militancy by supporting its brave forces. He added the sacrifices made by the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies will not be forgotten.
The prime minister said the military offences — Zarb-i-Azb and Radd ul-Fasaad — were important measures to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan. He also said the sacrifices of the deceased will not go to waste.
Sharif said the main responsibility of maintaining peace lies with the provinces, however, the government cannot turn blind eye to these matters. He added 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.
Sharif said the Centre will also help the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the restructuring of its counter-terrorism departments, adding they will be provided with all the facilities including the latest weaponry.
