National unity essential to uproot terrorism: Ahsan

Federal interior minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday that national unity is a must to uproot terrorism from the country and nation can win this war through team work. "The Quetta terrorist attack reminds us that we are in a state of war, which requires internal unity," he said addressing a press conference, here after the Saturday's deadly blast which left 15 people dead. However, he asserted that they became more determined with every such cowardly attack.
"Those attempting to internally disunite Pakistan are enemies of the country," he said, stressing that political differences need to be put aside in such situations. The minister appealed to all political parties that this is the time to unite against terrorism and shun differences. He urged that all have to work together to secure future of Pakistan.
"Peace and development are inter-linked that is why our government, through operations Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad, is attempting to put the country on the path of development. God willing such acts will also end soon," he said. Ahsan Iqbal also assured the cooperation of the federal government to all provincial governments. He said that the enemy is very clever and has specific designs against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan is in a state of war but there has been significant reduction in acts of terrorism since 2013. He said that due to porous border, and fragile Afghan government, some terrorists sneak into Pakistan from the neighbouring country and carry out stray incidents of terrorism targeting Pakistan's security forces and civilians to show their presence. He said their purpose is to put psychological pressure but they would not succeed. He vowed to eliminate them.
"Over the last few months and years, some political elements are making attempts to make Pakistan weak and divided, internally," he said, adding that while the government is sacrificing in fighting terrorism, such elements are bent upon dividing nation. He pointed out that sometime European countries and the United States became helpless against the terrorists.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri, on this occasion, said that we are living in a war zone with a porous border with Afghanistan. He said that his government was not sitting idly and took appropriate action against the terrorists whenever they attacked. Answering a question, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said 14 people had died in the attack and 46 were injured in the yesterday's suicide attack. Earlier, the interior minister, along with the chief minister, visited CMH to inquire after the people injured in the attack.