Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday reiterated his government's resolve to counter terrorists and authorized the army to "eliminate the enemy wherever they are". He stated this while presiding over a meeting held here in the aftermath of Thursday's horrific bomb blast at the shrine of Sufi Saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sindh Governor, Zubair Ahmed and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
According to a PM House statement, the premier was briefed by the Sindh chief secretary about the tragic incident in which 83 people were killed, 343 injured, of which 76 were in serious condition. The PM specifically directed the Sindh government to ensure foolproof security measures at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Sindh chief minister assured the PM that every possible measure would be taken to improve the security of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine and other shrines in the province.
"Pakistan had been fighting a war on its identity since its inception," the premier said and added: "In the pursuit of peace and prosperity, every State in history has faced opposition from those who have wished to push them to primitive and barbaric roots". The prime minister said, "We have been, for the past many years, fighting the enemies from within, and those abroad. We have faced dark days in our history. However, we have always come through with a resilience that has been an inspiration for the world.
"It is time for us to unite and fight the radicals, wherever they may be, inside or coming from outside and I direct and authorise my armed forces and law-enforcement agencies to eliminate the enemy wherever they are with the full force of the State."
Terming it an obligation towards future generations and others facing oppression, he said: "We must hold firm, but reject fear and renounce this depravity, wherever we see it, with a moral rebuke we reserve only for the most heinous," the statement quoted the prime minister as saying.
"My administration will do its part in ensuring defeat to those who question our humanity, and the rights and liberties of our fellow countrymen," he said, and added: "This war will end, and it will conclude with the victory of our people, including our positive values that bind us."