ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Thursday said that no armed group would be allowed to dictate its agenda and disturb the peace of the country.

He was addressing a candlelight vigil ceremony here at National Broadcasting House in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack on Peshawar Army Public School.

Rashid said the country has resolved that it would not allow the formation of armed groups to dictate to the nation about its way of life and relations with neighbours.

The minister said that it was because of the sacrifices rendered by the children in Peshawar and the people of Pakistan that the country has united against terrorism.

He said consensus reached during the meeting of parliamentary leaders would serve as a journey 'from darkness to the light'.

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The information minister said only those institutions authorised by the Constitution have the right and responsibility to possess the gun and use it to defend the country and its people.

“No other group or militant organisation can be given this right,” he said.

“By remembering tragedies like Peshawar, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and reflect how to prevent them in future...It is time for us to have some self-accountability as to where and why we erred,” Rashid said.

"The militants have spared neither bazaars, mosques, defence installations or hospitals," the minister stated.

He said with unity and collective wisdom future tragedies can be prevented.