Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the Afghan government to adopt a firm policy against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), stating that double standards will not be tolerated.
Addressing a meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan’s military and law enforcement agencies were fully mobilized to combat terrorism, citing recent incidents in which Pakistani security personnel were attacked.
He recalled the recent tragic event in which 16 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were martyred and the subsequent elimination of insurgents in North Waziristan, which also resulted in the martyrdom of a Pakistani army major.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan, calling it a neighboring and brotherly country.
He reiterated that Pakistan wants stronger ties with Afghanistan, particularly in the areas of trade and economic cooperation, which could help foster mutual prosperity.
However, he expressed concern over the TTP’s continued operations from Afghan soil, which has been responsible for the deaths of innocent Pakistanis.
Sharif emphasized that the Afghan government must take a clear stance against the TTP, stating that Pakistan can no longer tolerate the use of Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistani citizens.
“This is a red line for us,” he declared. “We will not accept the TTP operating from Afghan soil and we will defend Pakistan’s territorial integrity at all costs.”
The Prime Minister called on Afghanistan to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the issue. He said that while Pakistan wants to improve relations with Afghanistan, it is not acceptable that TTP elements are allowed free rein in the neighboring country. “You cannot say one thing and do another,” he stressed, underlining the importance of a coherent and firm policy on this issue.
Apart from discussing Afghanistan’s role in the fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on the anniversary of her martyrdom.
He spoke of his bravery and invaluable contributions to Pakistan’s democracy, noting that he had signed the Democracy Charter with Nawaz Sharif in London, which was later supported by all major political parties.
He said their sacrifices for democracy will always be remembered.
On a different note, Prime Minister Sharif addressed the ongoing shortage of medical supplies in Parachinar and revealed that the federal government had sent a helicopter with 1,000 kilograms of medicines.
He also informed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had been involved in delivering medicines and transferring patients to Islamabad for treatment.
On the economic front, Prime Minister Sharif shared optimistic news with the cabinet and revealed that the national exchequer is expected to get a boost of Rs 70 billion this year. This positive development is considered a step forward in stabilizing the country’s finances.
Prime Minister Sharif also announced that Pakistan will soon host the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy, creating excitement among cricket fans across the country.
He assured that all preparations for the mega event had been successfully completed and expressed confidence that the Pakistan cricket team would showcase the country’s talent on the world stage. “We are all hopeful that our players will showcase Pakistan’s potential and make the nation proud,” he said.
Apart from economic and sports news, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated his commitment to addressing internal challenges while ensuring that Pakistan’s security, prosperity and international relations remain a top priority.
