Chairing a meeting of the Apex Committee on National Action Plan in Islamabad on Monday, the prime minister stressed upon taking proactive measures to tackle such incidents in future.

The meeting took place two days after at least 63 people were killed and nearly 200 others injured in a suicide attack at an Imambargah in Peshawar's Kocha Risaldar area during Friday prayers. The Islamic State in a statement claimed responsibility for the deadly bomb blast.

The premier expressed the belief that nefarious designs to destabilize the country would never succeed as the entire nation is united to defeat the menace of terrorism.

He said the government had zero tolerance for terrorists and swift persecution was required to set an example out of terrorist elements

The premier said that public realized that some elements were trying to create disharmony on the basis of sectarianism and hate speech, adding that the State would never allow such designs to succeed.

The Apex Committee strongly condemned the Peshawar attack and offered condolences for the martyrs who lost their lives in the attack.

It stressed upon the need to strengthen the role of National Counter Terrorism Authority to coordinate measures essential for countering terrorism and capacity building of Counter Terrorism Departments.

It was also highlighted that provinces need to allocate more resources for conducting effective investigations by adopting scientific techniques and setting up modern forensic labs.

The need to accord conclusive end to terrorism cases in courts of law was emphasized.