ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has declared that military operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue in North Waziristan Agency till realization of its objective.
He said decisive military operation has been launched in North Waziristan to root out terrorists from country. He said operation would continue for the achievement of goals, adding that the dialogues and terrorist acts could not continue side by side.
He said government is fully aware about the reaction of military operation. He said the operation would prove start of peace and stability in country. He said that the terrorist incidents continued from Islamabad to Karachi during the peace talks.
He said all decisions have been made by civil and military leadership collectively. He said that the decision of operation has also been made unanimously. He said the whole nation, all political parties, media and civil society should back the armed forces in operation. He said special centers have been set up for the affectees of operation. He said whole nation is standing with the armed forces.
Making a statement in the National Assembly and Senate separately Monday evening he said we will not allow Pakistan to become safe heaven for terrorism at any cost.
The Prime Minister said the government sincerely gave peace a chance for four and a half month but its sincerity was not reciprocated and the government had to take the decision to launch the operation as a last resort.
Mian Nawaz Sharif pointed out that the government made every effort to make dialogue process result oriented but terrorists persisted with bloodshed and violence. He said terrorism and dialogue cannot go along.
The Prime Minister said the dialogue process was pursued with full consultation between the government and the military leadership and now the decision to launch the decisive action has also been taken through consultations and unanimity.
He said we are fully resolved to make Pakistan aboard of peace and expressed the confidence that the operation to eliminate terrorism would prove to be a harbinger of peace and security. This will help us realize our dream of turning Pakistan into a prosperous country.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has paid a heavy price in terms of men and material during war on terror imposed by militants. Personnel of Armed forces, security agencies and law enforcement agencies rendered immense sacrifices and our economy suffered losses worth 103 billion dollars. The terrorism also dented Pakistan’s prestige and reputation.
Mian Nawaz Sharif pointed out that there could have been two opinions on operation and the dialogue process but now this chapter is closed and the entire nation including media, political parties, religious leaders and tribal people should extend a helping hand to make the operation a success. He hoped that ulema would play their role in promoting the Islamic values of peace, brotherhood and tolerance.
The Prime Minister said special centres have been established for those who abandoned the path of terrorism, bow before law and constitution and want to become peaceful citizens of the country.
He said special centres have also been setup for those affected by the operation. Member of the Federal Cabinet Retired General Abdul Qadir Baloch would oversee the process and coordinate efforts of the federal and the provincial government for looking after the Internally Displaced Persons.
The Prime Minister hoped that the KPK government would extend the necessary cooperation in this regard. He said instructions have also been issued to KPK governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi to ensure every possible arrangement to facilitate IDPs.
He also appealed to the patriotic tribal people to play their role in making the operation a success. He said Tribesmen have paid a heavy price due to terrorism and it is time to eliminate the menace so that they could lead normal life. Later on prime minister attended the Senate session and delivered the same statement in the upper house of the parliament.
Meanwhile Leader of the opposition Syed Khursheed Shah said this decision should have been taken six months back. He said the opposition fully supports the decision and extend cooperation to the government and the armed forces.
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan Niazi said we standby with the armed forces as terrorism was inflicting heavy losses to the country. He however wanted to know what would be the fate of those who are willing to abandon violence. He demanded that the Prime Minister should convene a meeting of the political leadership to discuss the way forward.
Dr. Farooq Sattar described it as a sagacious decision and said not only the parliament but the four provincial assemblies and provincial governments should extend every possible cooperation to the government and the armed forces to make the operation a success.
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