Terrorists and abettors will be targeted: PM Nawaz Sharif

Published January 21, 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - AFP/File
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the government will not only go after terrorists, but also those abetting them. He made these remarks while addressing a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister House to review progress on the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP).

The premier added that there is no room for error in the fight against militancy and the government must succeed at all costs.

"We are not only going after the terrorists but also those who are abetting them," said PM Nawaz.

He further added that the government's seriousness to counter terrorism should not be doubted.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif also briefed the participants about establishment of military courts and other measures being taken to implement NAP.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch attended the meeting along with COAS Gen Raheel Sharif, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Major Rizwan Akhtar and other army officials.

KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif were also present.

Addressing the meeting, the premier underscored that the NAP was a joint effort between all leaders in the country. He stressed on its implementation in letter and spirit.

"It is an agenda which we have to implement," the premier said. "We all have to work together hand-in-hand and whatever support the Federal government can lend to the provinces, we would be very happy to lend that support."

He further said that apex committees have been constituted in all provinces and these committees will meet regularly to further implement the NAP.

The COAS took the PM into confidence over his recent visit to the UK where extensive consultations took place with British authorities on cooperation in counter terrorism. Army officials are also expected to apprise the meeting on steps being taken for the establishment of military courts in the country.

More on this: COAS arrives in London on three-day official visit

All four chief ministers are expected to give individual briefings to the meeting about progress made on the NAP in their respective provinces.

Take a look at: Nawaz constitutes special committee to implement National Action Plan

The National Action Plan was drafted in the wake of the Peshawar school attack to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism. A parliamentary committee had been formed in this regard which evaluated the post Peshawar tragedy scenario and discussed necessary laws and amendments in relation to terrorism.

The government had also constituted a federal counter-terrorism force with immediate effect.

Official sources had told Dawn that the force would work under the Ministry of Defence. "The force would be deployed across Pakistan and would be responsible solely for countering terrorism."

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