PM Shehbaz Sharif vows decisive action against terrorism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signalled a decisive crackdown on terrorism, saying that the nation could no longer afford to delay action against militancy.

He said Pakistan’s martyrs are the nation’s pride, honor, and crown jewel. The soldiers and officers who sacrificed their lives for the country will always remain the heroes of the nation.

The Prime Minister informed the cabinet that he, along with the Army Chief, attended the funeral prayers in Rawalpindi for the martyrs, where tributes were paid to Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq for his bravery and dedication.

According to the Prime Minister, the martyred officer wrote a new chapter of courage and heroism by eliminating 19 terrorists belonging to the Khawarij group.

Speaking about his meeting with the families of martyrs, the Prime Minister said their unwavering resolve and willingness to sacrifice for the nation are truly admirable.

He emphasized that the complete eradication of terrorism is essential and that no one will be allowed to spread chaos in the country.

The Prime Minister added that the Khawarij militants are trying to create unrest in Pakistan by crossing over from a neighboring country, while so-called “friendly enemies” are giving them shelter and protection.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also spoke about foreign policy and international relations. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding position supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while strongly condemning Israel’s desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Prime Minister further stated that his recent visit to Saudi Arabia was of historic importance, leading to new agreements based on the 77-year-old relationship between the two nations.

Similarly, during his visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warmly welcomed him and announced the import of meat worth $200 million from Pakistan.

Calling China a long-standing, trusted, and reliable friend of Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that ties with Beijing are becoming even stronger.

He also appreciated the efforts of the government’s negotiation committee on Kashmir, saying that the Kashmiri people are the pride of the nation and that efforts to address their issues will continue.

Discussing the economic situation, the Prime Minister shared that the global publication Bloomberg has ranked Pakistan as the second-fastest emerging economy after Türkiye — a significant achievement.

He congratulated the cabinet members and the economic team on this success and noted that remittances in September stood at $3.2 billion, showing an increase of 11.3% compared to the same period last year.