ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that we will not allow Pakistan to become safe haven for terrorism at any cost, declaring that the military operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ would continue in the North Waziristan tribal region till realization of its objective.
Sharif made these remarks during a speech delivered in the National Assembly on Monday evening.
The prime minister said that the government sincerely gave peace a chance for four and a half month but its sincerity was not reciprocated and the government had to take the decision to launch the operation as a last resort.
Nawaz Sharif pointed out that the government made every effort to make dialogue process result-oriented but terrorists persisted with bloodshed and violence. He said that terrorism and dialogue cannot go along.
The prime minister said that the dialogue process was pursued with full consultation between the government and the military leadership and now the decision to launch the decisive action has also been taken through consultations and unanimity.
“We are fully resolved to make Pakistan aboard of peace and expressed the confidence that the operation to eliminate terrorism would prove to be a harbinger of peace and security,” Sharif said.
The premier said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price in terms of men and material during war on terror imposed by militants.
Nawaz Sharif pointed out that there could have been two opinions on operation and the dialogue process but now this chapter is closed and the entire nation including media, political parties, religious leaders and tribal people should extend a helping hand to make the operation a success. He hoped that Uleme would play their role in promoting the Islamic values of peace, brotherhood and tolerance.
The prime minister said that special centres have also been setup for those affected by the operation. He added that member of the federal cabinet retired General Abdul Qadir Baloch would oversee the process and coordinate efforts of the federal and the provincial government for looking after the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
