ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the nation after midnight during which he outlined details of the national action plan, hoping that it would make Pakistan much safer and peaceful.
The national action plan to counter terrorism and extremism was approved at the meeting of the leaders of parliamentary parties which was held in Islamabad on Wednesday.
In his address, the prime minister said that 20-point action plan against terrorism includes establishment of special trial courts for swift disposal of terrorism cases.
The prime minister said that courts to be headed by military officers would be for a period of two years. He said that necessary constitutional and legal amendments would be carried out to facilitate establishment of the courts.
Sharif said that it has been decided to set up a special anti-terrorism force.
The premier said that militant and armed groups would not be allowed to operate in the country. He said that the banned militant organizations would not be allowed to operate under any other name. He also said that all sources of funding for terrorists would be blocked.
Nawaz Sharif said that hate literature and propaganda to promote sectarianism, extremism and intolerance would not be allowed and effective action would be taken against newspapers and periodicals involved in such practices.
A system would be evolved for registration of religious seminaries and blocking of fund resources to terrorists, he added.
The prime minister said that print and electronic media would not be allowed to propagate terrorists’ ideology. He said that measures would be taken to check use of internet and social media for propagation of terrorism.
The political leadership expressed the resolve that Pakistan’s soil would not be allowed to be used for terrorism against any other country, the premier said adding that Pakistan also expects that no other country would allow its soil to be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
In addition, he said that a comprehensive policy would be formulated for Afghan refugees.
The prime minister further said that steps would be taken for immediate return and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs). He said that administrative reforms and developmental activities would be expedited in the federally administrated tribal areas (FATA).
Earlier, the political and military leadership during an eleven hour session of the parliamentary leaders with the prime minister in chair in Islamabad, evolved consensus on the national action plan against terrorism.
The meeting also adopted a unanimous resolution strongly condemning the dastardly terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar. It noted that the nation faces extraordinary situation requiring extraordinary decisions.
