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Friday March 29, 2024

Nation united, no terrorists to go scot-free: Nawaz

Reaffirms resolve to counter terrorism; asks Punjab CM to secure educational institutions; vows to remove reservations over constitutional amendments; holds meeting with Shahbaz

By our correspondents
January 12, 2015
LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the entire nation was united to eliminate the menace of terrorism in the wake of the massacre at the Army Public School (APS), Peshawar, and expressed his resolve that no terrorist would be allowed to go scot-free.
He further said that the reservations of all stakeholders over the constitutional amendments would be duly removed.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday reiterated the federal and provincial governments’ commitment to take strong action against the elements that threatened to unleash violence across the country over the hangings of convicted terrorists.
The commitment was expressed as the two leaders held a meeting at their Raiwind residence to discuss the overall situation of the country.
It has been learnt that the meeting also focused on the security of public and private educational institutions as the prime minister instructed the Punjab chief minister to take further effective measures to ensure their protection against any terrorist attack in the province.
Prime Minister Sharif expressed his satisfaction over Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched against the militants in North Waziristan, saying it had achieved a remarkable success in weakening the control of terrorist groups.
He also noted the recent passage of the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly and the Senate and the solidarity shown by all the political parties to fight terrorism as a welcome development and a good omen for the war against terror.
The prime minister said Pakistan had been fighting against terrorists for a long period and the citizens had rendered numerous sacrifices. He stated that the government had made several amendments in the country’s Constitution, including the establishment of military courts, for an effective crackdown on terrorism.
The government had also issued special standard operating procedures to all the educational institutions for improved security after the condemnable attack on APS Peshawar, he concluded.
INP adds: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif devised a strategy for the implementation of the National Action Plan with full force.
During the meeting, the Punjab chief minister informed the prime minister about the steps taken against the menace of terrorism and the foolproof security arrangements for educational institutions.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the sleeper cells of the terrorists would be unearthed in every city and town of the country with the help of intelligence agencies, police and the people at large and the anti-state elements would not find any place for hiding.He said the morale of security institutions and Pakistani nation was high and through acts of terrorism, the terrorists could not scare the people.