Nawaz directs IB, ISI to make example of Hazara town bombing perpertrators

Published July 2, 2013
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif talking to newspersons in Quetta.— Photo by Syed Ali Shah
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif talking to newspersons in Quetta.— Photo by Syed Ali Shah

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday rooting out terrorism and extremism was the first priority of the government and directed the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to arrest the perpetrators of the recent bombing targetting the Hazara community to make it a test case.

The premier was on a visit to Quetta two days after a deadly suicide bombing in Hazara town which claimed 30 lives and was accompanied by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai, DG ISI Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam, the DG Intelligence Bureau (IB), and other top officials.

Speaking to mediapersons after chairing the high level meeting the prime minister said he had come to visit Quetta in order to review the law and order situation and that effective measures were needed to be adopted to restore traditional peace of Balochistan.

Nawaz also met with a tribal delegation of the ethnic Hazara community, which also included the relatives and heirs of the victims of the recent bombing in Quetta targeting the minority community.

He assured the provision of every possible security measures for the Hazara community.

The Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) chief said that every person involved in terrorist activities would be held accountable adding that he had instructed all institutions to deal with criminals with iron hands.

Nawaz also said that all decisions would be implemented upon and that the issue of targeted killings and missing persons in Balochistan would be accounted for.

Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned attack on the bus of a women's university and said if law enforcers worked with the same dedication then peace would be restored in Quetta.

"I have directed ISI and IB officers to arrest the culprits involved in recent bombings to make it as a test case", he said.

The Prime Minister said that terrorism was not acceptable, adding that it was the first priority of his government to wipe out terrorism and extremism.

He further said that the government would approach all political leaders to develop consensus and evolve a joint strategy to root out the curse of terrorism.

He directed all law enforcement agencies to cooperate with provincial government and to increase intelligence-sharing.

"Bringing peace in Quetta is not a big deal since it is a small city", he added.

Strict security measures were adopted by the provincial administration during the visit of premier, and Frontier Corps (FC) and police personnel were deployed on all roads leading to the Governor House.

Opinion

Political capitalism

Political capitalism

Pakistani decision-makers salivate at the prospect of a one-party state but without paying attention to those additional ingredients.

Editorial

Spending restrictions
Updated 13 May, 2024

Spending restrictions

The country's "recovery" in recent months remains fragile and any shock at this point can mean a relapse.
Climate authority
13 May, 2024

Climate authority

WITH the authorities dragging their feet for seven years on the establishment of a Climate Change Authority and...
Vending organs
13 May, 2024

Vending organs

IN these cash-strapped times, black marketers in the organ trade are returning to rake it in by harvesting the ...
A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...