Country can't progress until terrorism eliminated in Balochistan and KP, says PM Shehbaz 

Quetta (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that lasting peace in Pakistan cannot be achieved unless terrorism is fully eradicated in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Speaking after a high-level meeting regarding the law and order situation in Quetta, the premier underscored the necessity for national unity and a collective effort against terrorism, particularly after the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan's Bolan district.

The prime minister noted that the officials had convened at a time when the nation was grieving the attack.

PM Shehbaz called on Pakistan’s entire political leadership, alongside military leadership, to come together and deliberate on the country’s pressing challenges.

"One challenge in my view is that there should have been complete unity on this [incident], which unfortunately there is a gap of," he stated, emphasizing the importance of achieving a consensus. He assured that he would provide the necessary resources to security forces for their ongoing battle against terrorism.

PM Shehbaz highlighted the urgency of national solidarity, stressing, "If anything is needed more than ever before, then it is national unity and solidarity. We will keep doing our politics but on this one point of saving the country from terrorism, we will need to be one." He indicated his intention to convene a meeting to discuss the next steps in dealing with terrorism.

Lambasting the terrorists, the prime minister remarked that they had shown no respect for the sanctity of Ramazan, holding innocent people hostage and killing some in the process.

He expressed that such an event was unprecedented in the country’s history, adding that the subsequent operation aimed to protect the hostages' lives and eliminate the terrorists. "339 passengers were rescued while 33 terrorists were ‘sent to hell,’" he said.

Despite the success in saving lives, the premier warned that Pakistan could not afford to face such a crisis again and urged all levels of government, both federal and provincial, to play their part in safeguarding the country.

He reiterated that Pakistan’s development would be hindered unless Balochistan's growth kept pace with the rest of the provinces, stressing, "Peace can’t be established in Pakistan until terrorism is completely eliminated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan."

The prime minister also criticized the PTI government for its controversial decision to resettle fighters of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the country, claiming that this move was responsible for the resurgence of terrorism.

PM Shehbaz commended the sacrifices and efforts of Pakistan’s security forces in combating terrorism, but he condemned a particular "segment" of society for spreading harmful rhetoric, much of which was amplified by Indian media.

He made it clear that mocking and ridiculing the security forces—who continue to make sacrifices for the nation's security—was an act of hostility.

"No one can be given the licence to spread poisonous propaganda against our soldiers who go to the borders and sacrifice themselves. This is not acceptable, this will not be tolerated and these sacrifices will not go to waste," he asserted, stressing that the nation’s peace and prosperity were directly tied to the sacrifices made by the military.

In a warning to the nation, the prime minister stated that if terrorism was not eradicated, the very existence of Pakistan could be at risk, declaring, "Pakistan’s peace and prosperity are linked with it. There will be no prosperity without peace."