QUETTA: President Mamnoon Hussain has said the government is determined to root out the scourge of terrorism and turn the country into a cradle of peace.

“No terrorist will be allowed to bomb mosques, kill innocent schoolchildren and play with the lives of innocent people,” the president declared while addressing lawmakers belonging to Balochistan and other dignitaries at a dinner hosted by the provincial governor here on Wednesday night.

“It is high time to deal sternly with those elements who are opposed to peace in the country and now the entire nation backs the government’s efforts and the army to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” Mr Hussain said.

He asked the nation and all lawmakers to help the government and the army achieve this objective.

He said the country was facing two major issues: the security and shortage of finances, and “we have to overcome these two issues”.

Referring to the situation in Balochistan, the president praised performance of the provincial government and said that the province was soon going to become the most prosperous and developed region in the country.

The president also lauded the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by Punjab and Sindh provinces in the 7th National Finance Commission Award by allowing more funds to Balochistan to swiftly end backwardness and paucity of funds in the province and to bring it on a par with other provinces of the country.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2014