ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Friday said the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the state’s enemy and vowed to eliminate the terrorist outfit.
During a press conference in Islamabad, the information minister said that the state would act against the banned group, citing confidence in the armed forces, security agencies, and youth.
"As the minister for information, I state clearly: The TTP is Pakistan’s enemy. Until our last breath, and until the last drop of blood has been shed, we will eliminate it. I am saying this with absolute resolve: We will eliminate it."
He said the strength of the state came from faith and trust in the armed forces and security agencies, saying personnel leave their homes daily without certainty of return. He referred to families who send their children to fight, accepting the possibility of martyrdom.
“We stand by them, and we will prevail,” he said.
Economic revival
Tarar also spoke about the economy. He said Pakistan had moved from the threat of default back into the ranks of emerging economies.
“We have successfully transitioned from the threat of default back into the ranks of emerging economies,” he said.
He said the stock exchange was breaking records every day. He attributed the performance to confidence among the business community, traders, and industrialists.
“Our stock exchange is breaking records every single day,” he said. “The business community, merchants, and industries trust the government’s reforms and policies.”
The information minister said investors recognized that deep structural reforms were underway. He said that prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken difficult decisions for the country.
“They know the prime minister took difficult steps for the betterment of the country,” he said. “Those actions are bearing fruit now.”
Tarar said that the economic turnaround involved all government departments, for which he credited Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
“They are the architects behind this ongoing economic revival,” he said.
Citing recent figures, the information minister said foreign remittances reached $3.6 billion in December. He said that marked a "17% increase year-on-year" and a "13% rise month-on-month."
“I want to thank our overseas Pakistanis,” he said. “They are not only sending money home, but they are also breaking records.”
He said the government was working on foreign direct investment and that Pakistan’s trade with other countries was increasing.
“Wherever the prime minister goes, he promotes Pakistan’s exports,” Tarar said, citing Malaysia’s increased quota for Pakistani rice and halal meat. He said trade discussions were prioritized during official visits to Pakistan.
The minister mentioned the government's achievements, citing defense and economic frameworks with Saudi Arabia. He referred to agreements with Malaysia and partnerships with the United Arab Emirates. He also mentioned Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar being warmly received by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“With the launch of CPEC 2.0, all these economic frameworks are coming to Pakistan,” he said.
Tarar stated that the international community was viewing Pakistan with seriousness. He attributed that to the political leadership of PM Sharif and the military leadership of Field Marshal Munir.
“Because we have strong leadership, the world is taking Pakistan seriously," he said.
He said investment was coming into the country and that an economic revival was underway.
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