ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the government has zero-tolerance for terrorism and swift persecution is required to set an example for terrorists.
Chairing a meeting of the Apex Committee on National Action Plan, the prime minister emphasised that a “multi-pronged approach, full-spectrum and vigorous implementation” of NAP is required to thwart the threat of terrorism. He stressed taking proactive measures to tackle such incidents in the future.
PM Imran Khan expressed the belief that nefarious designs to destabilize the country would never succeed as the entire nation is united to defeat the menace of terrorism. He said the public realises that some elements are trying to create disharmony on the basis of sectarianism and hate speech but the state will never allow such designs to succeed.
The Apex Committee strongly condemned the Peshawar attack and offered condolences for the martyrs who lost their lives in the attack. It stressed upon the need to strengthen the role of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) to coordinate measures essential for countering terrorism and capacity building of Counter-Terrorism Departments.
It was also highlighted that provinces need to allocate more resources for conducting effective investigations by adopting scientific techniques and setting up modern forensic labs. The meeting also stressed the need for a conclusive end to terrorism cases in courts of law.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan once again called off the federal cabinet meeting which was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, March 8, due to the current political scenario in the country and the Opposition’s plan to table the no-confidence motion. This is the third time the premier has postponed the federal cabinet meeting.
During the PTI’s core committee meeting on Monday, PM Imran Khan challenged the joint Opposition to table the no-confidence motion, saying there is “no threat to the democratic government”. “They can fulfil their desire to table the no-confidence motion but PTI is fully prepared,” the premier said, adding that the incumbent government will foil their agenda.
While referring to the politicians who are facing corruption cases in the courts, he said that those who fear their trials cannot bring revolution with the money they have illegally acquired. Federal Ministers for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Planning and Development Asad Umar, and Defence Parvez Khattak also attended the meeting.
