PESHAWAR, Jan 25: Information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said on Tuesday that the government was waging war on terrorism for the sake of sovereignty and survival of the country and it would never bow to any pressure.

He was speaking at a function arranged by Malik Saad Khan Sports Trust in connection with the death anniversary of former capital city police officer Malik Saad Khan here at Peshawar Press Club.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Malik Saeed, sports minister Syed Aqil Shah, former provincial police chief and chairman of the trust Malik Naveed, its general secretary Amjad Aziz Malik and Sports Writers Association's president Kashifuddin Syed.

Mr Saad was killed in a suicide attack at Dhaki Naal Bandi, Qissa Khwani, while he was checking security measures taken for Muharram processions on Jan 27, 2007.

The speakers recalled sacrifices of the policemen they rendered in the line of duty against terrorism and asked people to continue support to the law-enforcement agencies to eradicate the menace.

The information minister said that terrorists had taken lives of many honest policemen and Mr Saad was one of them who never compromised on principles.

He also mentioned the sacrifices of government employees, ANP workers, his own family and people and said that the war would continue with full determination till elimination of the last terrorist.

Mr Hussain said that the nation needed steadfastness and sincerity to tackle the present situation. He said that the strength of police force had been increased. He said that police retained high moral despite frequent attacks on them.

Referring to the sacrifices of Mr Saad, the information minister said that his life was a role model for the entire nation. He said that Malik Saad was a committed police officer and stressed the need for such determination in police ranks.

Malik Naveed said that Mr Saad had sacrificed his life for the sake of his people and soil and he boosted moral of the police force.

He recalled that the former CCPO had performed his professional obligations with full commitment.

He said that Mr Saad had introduced a number of reforms in police department and gave new strength to the force. His remarkable services to police and nation would always be remembered, he said.

Aqil Shah recalled the steps taken by Mr Saad for promotion of sports and said that he had shown deep concern over the declining state of hockey in the province. He said that the government would establish Mr Saad pavilion at the Haripur sports complex and a hockey tournament would also be held in his name.

Amjad Aziz Malik highlighted the objectives of creating the trust. He said that the trust had announced special scholarship programme for deserving people and it had been playing a key role in promotion of sports activities in the province.

He spoke about sports academies established in the province under the supervision of the trust. He said that outstanding students were also given Safwat Ghayyur scholarships every year.