Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday emphasised that Pakistan will be rid of the menace of terrorism.
Meeting with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at his Raiwind residence in Punjab, the prime minister, while referring to the all-party meeting held on Wednesday after the barbaric attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, said the unity demonstrated by political and national parties was the first step in eliminating terrorism from Pakistan, The News International reported.
The UAE delegation expressed their sorrow over Tuesday’s massacre at the Army Public School in Peshawar, which left more than 140 students and teachers dead.
The prime minister stressed that the government was working on development and relief projects at a speedy pace.
Meanwhile, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain yesterday said that the whole nation is united against terrorism which will be eliminated from the country at all costs.
He said this while on a visit to Peshawar where over 140 students and teachers were killed during a barbaric attack by the Taliban on the Army Public School on Tuesday.
Talking to the media, he said the Peshawar tragedy united the nation and those who had any soft corner for the terrorists in the past were also now stressing the need for their complete elimination to make the country safe, Radio Pakistan reported.
The international community has also acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistan in its war against terrorism and expressed their full support, Hussain said.
He said Pakistan is the only country in the world which suffered heavy losses in the war against terrorism.
He said the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb is proceeding successfully and would eliminate terrorists completely.
While responding to a question, the president said new laws were being framed to dispose of terrorism cases quickly.
Hussain said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has expressed the desire for mutual co-operation in the fight against terrorism. He said both the countries have agreed not to allow their soil to be used against the other.
Earlier, after arriving in Peshawar, the president visited the Combined Military Hospital and inquired about the health of the students injured in Tuesday’s attack, according to the Radio Pakistan report. He was accompanied by his wife.
The president spoke to the students and lauded their courage. He expressed satisfaction over the treatment being given to them.
Meanwhile, Christians in Pakistan’s Chakwal district have decided not to celebrate Christmas this year to pay homage to the 148 people, including 132 children, who were massacred by terrorists in Peshawar on Tuesday.
They also held a reference for the victims of the deadly attack.
District Co-ordination Officer Asif Bilal Lodhi was the chief guest at the reference, Dawn online reported.
“Today we are gathered here to pay tribute to those who were ruthlessly killed by the terrorists,” said Samina Sofia one of the organisers of the reference.
