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Monday November 11, 2024

Nawaz seeks a world free of terrorists

Tells French ambassador those responsible for Paris tragedy are enemies of Islam and humanity; Martine Donance says her nation touched by the messages of sympathy and support received in Pakistan

By our correspondents
November 21, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif says terrorists are the enemies of humanity and they must be eliminated in Pakistan, France and the whole world.
He was talking to French Ambassador Martine Dorance at the PM House here on Friday.“Those responsible for the Paris tragedy are the enemies of Islam. We understand the pain of French nation. We took the decision to take terrorists to task after long deliberations, consultations and support of all state institutions including parliament.
“Today, the whole nation is behind the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb and National Action Plan was drawn up in the wake of heinous attack on innocent students of the Army Public School, Peshawar,” said Nawaz.
Martine Donance said the French people were thankful to the Pakistani government and the nation for their support and sympathy. “We are touched by the response of common people and really were moved on the messages of condolence received from the students of Army Public School, Peshawar.”
Meanwhile, later in a reception where Federal Minister for Environment and Climate Change Zahid Hamid was also present, Martine Donance said French people were indebted to the people of Pakistan for taking a strong position on the Paris attacks.
“Our thoughts, our sympathy are with them, with their families. Among the victims were several dozens of our foreign friends, representing 19 nationalities.
“During this difficult time France is going through, I wish to say I have been deeply touched by the messages of sympathy and support we have received here in Pakistan, in great number, and I want to thank you for your compassion.
Pakistan has suffered a lot from terrorism, like so many other countries, and our thoughts are with all the victims of terrorism in France, in Pakistan, in Russia, in Lebanon, in Mali, in so many places.
As our president expressed a few days ago, in our determination to combat terrorism, we want France to remain itself. We must continue, continue to work, to go out, to live, and that is why the Paris Climate Conference, the COP21, the biggest diplomatic event ever hosted in France, will not only still go ahead, but will also be a moment of hope and solidarity,” she added.