Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism, saying hostile elements and “khawarij” were trying to hinder Pakistan’s development, but the nation and its armed forces would defeat them.
Addressing the federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan had carried out attacks in Balochistan, to which security forces responded forcefully.
He said that in retaliatory operations over the past three to four days, around 200 militants were killed.
The prime minister said 17 security personnel and 31 civilians were martyred in the attacks. He added that five women and children were killed in Gwadar.
Referring to “Maarka-e-Haq”, he said the enemy had been defeated and condemned attacks on unarmed civilians, calling the perpetrators “stone-hearted” and inhuman.
He said the sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain and that terrorism would be eliminated from the country.
PM Shehbaz said the entire nation stood united like a “wall of lead” against terrorism and expressed grief over the killing of workers and children.
He said the state would take responsibility for the welfare and upbringing of the children of martyrs and that the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its “great sons”.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan’s “eastern neighbour and khawarij” wanted to obstruct the country’s path to development and prosperity.
He also said the nation would continue to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
He informed the cabinet about his meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying the discussion was constructive and that the federal government would fully cooperate with the province.
On sports diplomacy, the prime minister said Pakistan had taken a clear and well-considered position in the T20 World Cup by deciding not to play a bilateral match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh.
He said politics should not be mixed with sports.
PM Shehbaz also said Pakistan had agreed with Kazakhstan on a $1 billion trade target and that the Kazakh president had invited him for a visit. He expressed hope that economic ties with Kazakhstan would grow rapidly.
He added that Uzbekistan’s president was arriving in Pakistan on Thursday and that both sides were committed to strengthening relations.
Referring to recent tensions involving Iran and the United States, the prime minister said Pakistan had played a “brotherly” and responsible role to promote dialogue and de-escalation.
He said he, the deputy prime minister and the army chief had held in-person meetings and telephone conversations with Iranian leaders at various times.
He added that Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia were also involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve regional tensions through dialogue and ensure lasting peace.
Meanwhile, an official statement issued after the cabinet meeting said the cabinet gave in-principle approval to decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee on February 3, the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises on January 9, and the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on January 29.
According to the statement, the prime minister told cabinet members that the federal government, with the support of provinces, institutions and the public, was fully committed to eradicating terrorism.
He also conveyed the government’s solidarity with Kashmiris on Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The meeting began with prayers for the departed soul of Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and for civilians, security personnel and law enforcement officials martyred in recent attacks in Balochistan.
The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to federal-provincial coordination for national development and briefed the cabinet on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with friendly countries, including the recent visit of the Kazakh president and the upcoming visit of the Uzbek president.
