Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed firm commitment to eradicate the scourge of terrorism to put the country on the path of economic development.
Chairing a meeting of Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP) in Islamabad on Friday, the premier said that the centre, provinces and defense institutions should collectively formulate a coordinated plan to combat terrorism and ensure peace across Pakistan.
“Time has come to wipe out Fitnah al Khawarij,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that improving law and order situation in the entire country is important to achieve the agenda of progress and development.
The prime minister said Pakistan responded in a befitting manner to a recent cross border attack.
He said we are also cognizant of the foreign hands who are hatching conspiracies against Pakistan inside Balochistan.
PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over efforts towards increasing the capacity of counter terrorism department in provinces, saying Punjab is taking a lead in this regard.
The prime minister also emphasized the need for equipping police with modern equipment and ensuring merit based induction in the force.
PM Shehbaz vowed to tackle the growing challenge of digital media including the fake news and misinformation on social media platforms calling it inevitable for elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country.
“On digital front, the venom against Pakistan is being spitted through social media from some elements abroad. This is also a big challenge, which is supported by distorted facts and twisted reality,” the prime minister said
The prime minister said that certain questions were being raised by distorting facts and twisting the reality on social media that were denting the state’s image.
“If we don’t counter this challenge, all efforts (to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the country) will go waste,” he said expressing the confidence that the government would overcome such challenges.
The prime minister recalled how fake news were spread with regard to martyrdom of personnel of Rangers on November 26.
“The sacrifices of the armed forces are immense which would not go waste and Pakistan will continue its journey towards peace, stability and prosperity,” he added.
The prime minister stressed that the federal government, the provinces and all relevant stakeholders in collaboration with the Pakistan security forces should make a comprehensive plan in this regard.
He pledged that with unity of thought and action, the government will implement such plans in letter and spirit to resolve all challenges faced by the country.
PM Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion congratulated the nation as Pakistan assumed non-permanent membership of United Nation Security Council (UNSC).
He said that Pakistan will fully play its role in the international diplomacy.
The prime minister also congratuled the foreign minister and his team for their efforts regarding the election of Pakistan as a non-permanent member of the UNSC with an overwhelming majority.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the federal cabinet members, chief ministers of all provinces, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and other high officials.
