ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the moment has come to eliminate “Fitna al-Khawarij”, referring to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been involved in numerous attacks targeting security personnel and civilians.
Addressing a meeting of the National Action Plan (NAP) Central Apex Committee, the Prime Minister called upon the provinces, federal agencies and institutions to come up with a comprehensive plan to fight terrorism and ensure peace across Pakistan.
Today’s meeting to assess the security situation in the country was attended by both civilian and military leadership.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that improving the law and order situation across the country is important to achieve the agenda of progress and development.
He specifically pointed to the presence of infiltrators, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and said that the recent cross-border terrorist attacks had met with a massive response.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed concern over external and internal elements carrying out anti-Pakistan campaigns. “Agents sitting abroad, disguised as friends, are propagating against Pakistan. This is a significant threat,” he warned.
“We also know about foreign hands hatching conspiracies against Pakistan from Balochistan,” he added.
The Prime Minister warned that they are being ambushed by enemies with evil intentions and stressed the need to remain vigilant against such threats.
He also emphasized the need to equip the police with modern equipment and ensure recruitment to the force on the basis of merit.
Chief Minister Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the efforts to increase the capacity of counter-terrorism department in the provinces, saying that Punjab is taking the lead in this regard.
The prime minister also called for action against “digital terrorism”, where facts are distorted and spread on social media to mislead people.
The remarks came in light of the recent infiltration attempt by Khawariyas and Afghan Taliban across the border near Kurram and North Waziristan areas on December 28, which was successfully foiled by Pakistani security forces.
According to security sources, a group of 20 to 25 Khawaris in coordination with the Afghan Taliban launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistani posts this morning using heavy weapons.
“The national interest comes first”
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that “personal preferences do not matter; Pakistan’s interests come first”.
Highlighting Pakistan’s recent global milestone, Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that the country assumed a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“Pakistan’s national interest is paramount and all efforts should be directed towards securing it,” he said.
Referring to the recent sacrifices, he acknowledged the bravery of the police, Rangers and military personnel who laid down their lives to protect the nation.
The prime minister concluded by calling for unity and determination to end terrorism and ensure lasting peace, saying, “It is time to act together for the future of Pakistan.
Rising militancy
Terrorist attacks are on the rise in the provinces of KP and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan, mainly targeting law enforcement and security forces.
Islamabad again called on Kabul not to allow its territory to be used by terrorist groups to carry out attacks against Pakistan.
The diplomatic efforts are linked to the ongoing kinetic action against terrorists by security forces, which killed at least 15 militants, including members of the Afghan Taliban, in a swift and effective response to last week’s infiltration attempt.
A week earlier, forces had gunned down 13 terrorists in three separate operations in KP.
The third quarter of 2024 (July-September) witnessed a sharp rise in the number of victims of terrorist violence and counter-terrorism campaigns with a 90% increase in violence, according to a report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel and outlaws, while 615 others were injured in 328 incidents recorded during the period under review.
Almost 97% of these deaths occurred in KP and Balochistan – the highest percentage in the last ten years, and more than 92% of these incidents of terrorist attacks and security force operations were recorded in the same provinces.
In 2024 alone, the military reported 383 soldiers and 925 militants killed in various encounters.
