Elimination of terrorism to take time: PM
Monday, November 03, 2008
Karachi, November 3, 1998
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that eradication of terrorism is not an easy task, and cannot be done overnight. “It may take a few months, but terrorism will certainly be eradicated from the society and normalcy will be restored, which will help create job opportunities and stabilise the economy,” he said while talking to journalists at Governor House before departing for the federal capital, on Monday.
The prime minister arrived in Karachi in the afternoon and presided over a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in the city. Governor Moinuddin Haider, Federal Ministers, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Sartaj Aziz, Gen (retd) Majid Malik, Ghous Ali Shah, Sindh Chief Secretary, DG Rangers, IGP Sindh and regional heads of intelligence agencies attended the meeting. The premier also had a detailed meeting with the Chief of the Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf.
When asked if he is going to assign any role to the army in the present situation, the prime minister said: “Keep the things confined to the extent they relate to.” To a question about his meeting with the COAS, Nawaz said they meet on and off. “Good days are ahead which will benefit not only the citizens of Karachi, but all the countrymen,” Nawaz claimed.
He said the restoration of peace in Karachi is the first priority of his government. “I am determined to exterminate terrorism from Karachi. Once the situation improves, it will help stabilise the economy. People will lead peaceful lives, more job opportunities will be generated, which will lead to prosperity. The country will be able to pay off its debts and save the coming generations from debt burden,” the premier said. To a question, the premier said: “Our sole objective is the elimination of terrorism and crime from Karachi, and to bring the criminals to book. There will be no compromise on this issue.” He said the government’s actions were not aimed at targeting any party or community, nor anyone would be subjected to injustices. “We are determined to weed out lawlessness. People of Karachi, who have been anxiously waiting for a long time for the elimination of crime, terrorism, injustice and lawlessness, will take a sigh of relief,” he said.
— News selected by Saeed Mohiuddin, Reference Library filed by our correspondent, The News
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