Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Afghanistan must make a clear decision about whether it wants to live in peace. He urged the Afghan interim government to show mercy and responsibility towards its own people.
He was speaking to participants at a security workshop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prime minister said that establishing lasting peace in the province has become unavoidable. He stressed that without stability, development and prosperity cannot be achieved.
Shehbaz Sharif said the federal government is taking concrete and practical steps to improve the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that security measures are being strengthened to protect citizens from violence and extremism.
The prime minister said guiding young people away from extremism is a national priority. He stated that youth must be provided with education, opportunities and a positive direction so they do not fall prey to radical ideologies.
He emphasised that terrorism can only be defeated through unity. He said the entire nation must stand together to confront this threat. National security, he added, remains the top priority of the government.
Shehbaz Sharif said the state is fully determined to eliminate terrorism from its roots. He noted that sacrifices made by security forces and citizens will not go in vain.
Referring to past events, the prime minister said Pakistan achieved success in the war against India under the leadership of the Field Marshal. He said this victory raised Pakistan’s prestige and honour across the world.
On the economic front, he said Pakistan is becoming stronger with each passing day. He stated that economic stability is improving and the country is moving steadily towards growth. He added that the pace of development must be increased further.
The prime minister said national progress cannot be limited to one province. He stressed that if only Punjab develops while other provinces remain behind, it cannot be called Pakistan’s progress. True development, he said, will only come when all provinces advance together.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted inter-provincial cooperation in fighting terrorism. He said other provinces contributed Rs800 billion from their shares to help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tackle terrorism. He added that Punjab also provided Rs100 billion from its own share to support Balochistan.
