PM Sharif Vows to Intensify Anti-Terrorism Efforts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed on Friday his administration’s commitment to persist in the battle against terrorism, stating that Pakistan’s adversaries are intimidated by its economic advancements.

“Our struggle to eliminate terrorism from the nation will persist. We will inflict such a significant defeat on terrorists that they will not dare to cast an evil eye towards Pakistan again,” the prime minister remarked while presiding over a high-level assembly focused on law and order within the federal capital.

The assembly saw the attendance of federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Ahad Khan Cheema, and Attaullah Tarar.

Rana Sanaullah, Advisor to the PM, Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Barrister Saif, Gilgit-Baltistan Interior Minister Shamsul Haq Lone, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interior Minister Col (Retd) Waqar Noon also participated in the meeting, along with chief secretaries and inspectors general of police representing all provinces.

Notably, the chief commissioner of Islamabad was absent from the meeting.

Acknowledging the dedication and resolute measures implemented by institutions and provinces in combating terrorism, the prime minister pledged the federal government’s complete support in enhancing the capabilities of all provinces for this purpose.

He emphasized the necessity of setting aside disagreements and collaborating to eradicate terrorism. He also commended the security personnel and officers who confront terrorists and sacrifice their lives.

PM Shehbaz instructed all institutions to amplify their endeavors against smuggling and to tighten restrictions on human trafficking networks to ensure that traffickers are brought before the law.

He urged the swift conclusion of Safe City projects in major urban centers and acknowledged the collaborative efforts by the federal and provincial governments to advance a counter-terrorism narrative.

During the briefing, authorities indicated that a National and Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Centre has been formed under the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).

It was disclosed that the ‘Safe City’ initiative is currently operational in 10 cities throughout Punjab and that similar projects are being implemented in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Nawabshah.

Approval has been granted for Peshawar, and expansion to Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Lakki Marwat is slated for the subsequent phase.

Furthermore, participants were informed that the Gwadar Safe City project is nearing completion and that analogous projects will be instituted in key cities along National Highways N-25 and N-40.

In parallel, digital enforcement stations are being established along various highways and bridges to combat smuggling activities.

Federal and provincial entities are undertaking actions to remove unlawful constructions surrounding major urban areas, and a campaign is underway against begging operations nationwide, with measures being enacted to curtail their international travel.

Authorities also communicated the establishment of a Forensic Science Agency in Islamabad, alongside continuous upgrades to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.