ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday once again strongly condemned the barbaric incident in Lahore and vowed to continue the mission to turn Pakistan into a cradle of peace, progress and prosperity.
In his address to the nation on Monday night, the prime minister said that the whole nation is in mourning as terrorists have started targeted soft targets in the recent past.
The prime minister said that coward acts of terrorism cannot weaken our resolve. He said that we won’t allow terrorists or anyone to play with the lives and properties of the masses.
Sharif said that he has given clear instructions to concerned institutions to bring terrorists and their facilitators to book whereever they are.
“We are keeping an eye on all elements related to terrorism,” he said. “Our mission will continue till uprooting this menace of terrorism completely.”
Nawaz Sharif said that we have taken oath to fight extremism, sectarianism and change them with the moderation. He said that “We will continue our efforts with unity.”
The prime minister said that due to government’s firm resolve and efforts by law enforcing agencies (LEAs), terrorism registered a significant decline in last three years across the country.
Sharif said that the operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched to eliminate terrorists with full political backing and ownership of the people. He said the operation has achieved its major objectives but the mission would continue till complete eradication of terrorism from the country.
The premier said that terrorists have been deprived of their hideouts, training camps and infrastructure and now their remnants are attacking soft targets like educational institutions, public places and recreation areas.
In addition, he vowed to bring all those who have been spreading provocation and sectarianism to justice.
The prime minister further said that he has already directed the Punjab government to provide best medical facilities to the injured victims of Lahore blast.
His address followed a deadly suicide blast which ripped through Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore on Sunday evening, killing at least 72 persons including women and children and injuring over 300 others.
