Provinces must expedite NAP implementation: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the provincial governments to speed up the process of implementing the National Action Plan (NAP), saying that the government was committed to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country.
He said all political parties unanimously agreed on the 20 points of the NAP and it was the responsibility of all the federating units of the country to implement it in its letter and spirit.The prime minister was chairing a high-level meeting of his top aides and senior officials at the Governor House, Murree. Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed important national issues including the law and order and energy situation. He said the government would not allow any incident or development to have an adverse impact on the implementation of the National Action Plan for the annihilation of terrorism and extremism.
The benchmarks established for follow-up action in the wake of the NAP would be adhered to by all means and any let-up is out of the question in this regard, he said. The meeting decided that the working groups established in the aftermath of the December 16 Peshawar Army Public School massacre of students by terrorists would be completing their respective tasks within the shortest possible time.
Another round of meetings of some of the groups will be held this week. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is heading most of the groups, briefed the prime minister on the progress made by the different groups so far.
The interior minister, who is the focal person in the efforts of the government to eradicate terrorism, is interacting with the provincial governments to accelerate the work on the NAP.
The federal government expressed satisfaction over the working of the Punjab government that has shown impressive results and its performance was appreciated by all concerned.The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the petrol supply situation in the country and directed that all relevant ministries and departments should ensure seamless coordination to avoid such occurrences in the future.
The chief minister apprised the prime minister of the progress made by the Punjab province in implementing NAP. The prime minister will visit all four provincial capitals in due course to review the progress made by the respective provinces for the implementation of NAP. The apex committees will meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who will chair the meetings during his visits and its is likely that the army leadership will also be present during these meetings.
Later, PM Nawaz expressed deep condolences over the sad demise of Ali Sufian Afaqi, a prominent personality belonging to the field of the performing arts.In a message to the aggrieved family, the premier lauded the outstanding contribution of Afaqi in promoting the film industry in Pakistan. He said that the standards set by him in providing meaningful entertainment to the people of Pakistan through his well thought out films will always be appreciated. He prayed that Allah Almighty bless his soul with eternal bliss.