Pakistan committed to eliminating terrorism, restoring peace and development: PM Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that Islamabad is firmly committed to eliminating terrorism and that all available resources will be utilized to restore peace and promote development.

PM Sharif was addressing a high-level meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee in Quetta to review the security situation in the southwestern province of Balochistan following a series of deadly terrorist attacks across the province.

"There is no doubt that our eastern neighbor [India] is fully involved in this fitna [terror] in all aspects," the prime minister said.

"The foreign-funded enemies of Pakistan, such as Fitna al-Khwarij, cannot accept the country’s development and prosperity, which is why they are creating problems in the form of terrorist attacks," he added.

Pakistan Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir also attended the meeting alongside Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, senior military leadership, and top officials of law enforcement agencies.

"The fight against terrorism will continue with full determination until every terrorist threatening Pakistan's peace and security is brought to justice," the Prime Minister told the meeting.

The prime minister said that the enemies of Pakistan are not happy with the successes and respect the country was gaining on the domestic and international fronts.

“That is why we have to eradicate terrorism from its very roots,” PM Sharif said.

He expressed deep sorrow over the recent wave of terrorist violence, which claimed the lives of security personnel, police officials, and civilians.

PM Sharif paid tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, stating that 54 terrorists had been eliminated during intelligence-based operations and retaliatory actions launched in response to the attacks.

Sharif reaffirmed that the entire nation "stands united with its armed forces and law enforcement agencies" in the ongoing campaign against terrorism. 

He said the sacrifices rendered by the country's defenders would not go in vain and expressed confidence that Pakistan would ultimately defeat the menace of terrorism.

PM arrives in Quetta

The prime minister arrived in Quetta earlier in the day for a one-day visit to chair the security meeting. 

He was received by Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, and senior civil and military officials.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit.

The meeting comes in the wake of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Balochistan over the past several days.