Political, military leadership united to eliminate terrorism: PM Shehbaz  

Quetta (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated that Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership remained fully united in its determination to eradicate what he described as India-backed terrorism from Balochistan, stressing that the campaign against militancy would persist until every terrorist had been eliminated.

Speaking while presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta, the premier reviewed the security situation in the province following a series of deadly attacks over the past four days.

The incidents claimed the lives of 42 people, including members of the security forces and civilians who embraced martyrdom in defence of the country, while security operations resulted in the killing of 54 alleged India-backed terrorists.

Paying tribute to the sacrifices made by both security personnel and civilians, Shehbaz praised their courage and commitment, saying, “We have to thwart the nefarious designs of Fitna al-Khawarij.”
He said the entire nation stood firmly alongside the armed forces in the fight against terrorism, adding,

“This war [against terrorism] will continue until the last terrorist in Pakistan is eliminated.”
The prime minister further alleged that Pakistan’s eastern neighbour was responsible for sponsoring the recent wave of violence and claimed that Afghan territory was being used to facilitate terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

He also asserted that hostile elements were attempting to undermine the country because they were unable to accept Pakistan’s recent diplomatic successes.

The high-level meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, along with senior officials representing law enforcement agencies.

The meeting came a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reaffirmed the armed forces’ resolve to track down every terrorist and those assisting them in the aftermath of the recent attacks in Balochistan.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, the DG ISPR stated that 42 people, including 38 security personnel, had embraced martyrdom while protecting the country during the latest attacks.

He added that law enforcement agencies had so far killed 54 alleged India-backed terrorists in retaliatory operations launched in response to the violence.

Emphasising the military’s continued commitment to counterterrorism efforts, he declared, “We will hunt down every terrorist and all their facilitators.”

The ISPR chief also alleged that Afghan territory under the control of the Taliban administration was being used as a base for carrying out terrorist attacks against Pakistan.