ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that the ongoing operation against criminals in Karachi would be taken to its logical conclusion.

“The miscreants now are carrying out cowardly attacks as a last resort but are destined to be defeated ultimately,” he said during a meeting with representatives of the business community.

The meeting was convened to let exporters present their grievances and proposals for arresting declines exports and promoting business activities.

According to an official announcement, the prime minister expressed the government’s resolve to continue the operation in Karachi.

He said the situation in the city had improved to a great extent and there were signs of revival of business activities. “The government has taken all major decisions with consensus and made amendments to the Constitution and law,” he said, adding that it had courageously punished perpetrators of heinous crimes.

Mr Sharif said the government was combating the menace of terrorism and had launched a decisive war through the Zarb-i-Azb operation. The terrorists were on the run, he said.

He said the total cost of the operation was $1.9 billion, of which the cost of rehabilitation was $800 million, security enhancement $530m and the operational expenses were $270m. The government has disbursed half of the amount and will continue to support it till its completion.

He said successes achieved in the battle against terrorism were the result of unprecedented valour and commitment of the armed forces for peace and stability. “The officers and jawans of our valiant armed forces have rendered tremendous sacrifices and even children laid down their lives in this national effort,” he said. These sacrifices will keep alive the resolve of the nation against terrorism.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2015

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