Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the government was committed to eliminating the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to ensure socio-economic development of the country.
Pakistan has recently witnessed a rise in terrorist activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Terrorist attacks have increased since the TTP broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government. With at least 685 security forces personnel losing their lives amid a total of 444 terror attacks, 2024 turned out to be the deadliest year for Pakistan’s military and civilian security forces in a decade.
Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel: 1,612 deaths, representing more than 63 percent of the total recorded last year and representing 73 percent more losses compared to the 934 outlaws eliminated. The total number of deaths recorded last year was a nine-year high and more than 66 percent higher than in 2023. On average, almost seven lives were lost daily.
At a meeting of the Higher Committee of the National Action Plan, Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “The agenda of Pakistan’s progress and prosperity that we discussed yesterday can only be [realised] when all of us not only improve law and order throughout Pakistan but also the time has come to completely eliminate the TTP.”
The prime minister stressed that the federal government, provinces and all relevant stakeholders should come up with a comprehensive plan in collaboration with security forces.
He promised that with unity of thought and action, the government would implement the said plans in letter and spirit, to resolve all the challenges facing the country.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the government was aware that some intruding terrorists were living in the country, especially in KP and Balochistan, to disturb peace and which countries were supporting them.
Referring to weekend skirmishes with Afghan forces on the border, he said an “appropriate response” was given.
In July, the government, through official notification, designated the TTP as Fitna al Khawarijwhile forcing all institutions to use the term khariji (marginalized) when referring to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
On combating misinformation and disinformation
The prime minister also promised to address the growing challenge of digital media, including misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, calling it inevitable for the elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country.
“On the digital front, some elements abroad are spewing venom against Pakistan through social media. This is also a great challenge, which is based on distorted facts and a twisted reality,” the prime minister said.
The Prime Minister said certain questions were being raised by distorting facts and misrepresenting reality on social media which were damaging the image of the State.
“If we do not counter this challenge, all efforts [to eliminate terrorism and extremism in the country] It will be wasted,” he said, expressing confidence that the government would overcome such challenges.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also congratulated the nation on Pakistan assuming its non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, federal cabinet members, chief ministers of all provinces, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and other senior officials.
A day ago, the prime minister said the country’s economic progress depended on achieving “complete peace” amid the security challenges facing the country.
Speaking at a meeting of the Special Council for Investment Facilitation, he said economic development was directly linked to political stability as the strength of a country’s economy was deeply rooted in its political framework.
“Security has become a great challenge today and we cannot move forward without crushing the heads of [terrorism].”
