After the Peshawar massacre, PM Shehbaz vowed to implement NAP with ‘full force’. Following the suicide attack in Peshawar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he would ensure that “the National Action Plan (NAP) is implemented with full force” and with full comprehensiveness.
PM Sharif visited Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) on Monday evening to inquire about those injured in the deadly blast at Malik Saad Shaheed Police Line mosque during Zuhr prayers, which claimed at least 44 lives. Has gone.
The premier was received by Army Chief General Asim Munir and then visited different wards and met the injured.
PM Shahbaz directed the hospital administration to provide best medical facilities to all the injured.
He was accompanied by Defense Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Home Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan and Information and Broadcasting Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.
A representative of the Lady Reading Hospital, where 157 injured people were brought after the attack, said the death toll in the blast had risen to 44.
In Peshawar, Corps Commander Peshawar briefed the Prime Minister on the reasons and motivations behind the rise of militancy in Peshawar.
The Premier was shown the CCTV footage of the suicide attack and also presented a preliminary investigation report by the IG Police.
“Terrorists are making a sinister attempt to create fear and panic by attacking defense agencies,” the prime minister said, adding that “they will be defeated by the strength of the unity of the state and the people.”
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Referring to the huge loss of security personnel and civilians due to terrorism, he said that Pakistan has made great sacrifices against terrorism and will not “let the sacrifices of the martyrs go in vain”.
The premier also emphasized that he would ensure thorough implementation of the NAP to cut the roots of terrorism in the country.
After the attack on Army Public School on 16 December 2014, a national consensus was developed to crack down on terrorists through a concerted effort. A 20-point National Action Plan (NAP) to counter terrorism and extremism was prepared by NACTA/Ministry of Interior in consultation with stakeholders and approved by the Parliament on 24th December, 2014.
The measures taken in the NAP include the implementation of the death penalty for those convicted in terrorism cases; establishment of special trial courts under the supervision of the army; banning terrorist organizations and armed gangs; strengthening the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA); and strict action against promotion of hatred, extremism, communalism and intolerance.
Expressing grief over the heinous attack, PM Shehbaz said: “Those who shed the blood of those who prostrate in the house of Allah cannot be Muslims. Those who commit this crime will not be able to escape from the clutches of Allah. We will erase these criminals from the pages of history.
He also said that he would enhance the capability and capacity of anti-terrorist agencies and the police.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir met the injured in Peshawar.#peshawarblast pic.twitter.com/dYmqt8OUVn
– Uzera Shah (@uzerashah) January 30, 2023
Attacking mosques and innocent civilians during prayers in the name of Islam is the most heinous act and the people of Pakistan have recognized the real faces of elements who misinterpret the religion, he said.
PM Shehbaz Sharif and COAS General Syed Asim Munir after meeting the injured. #peshawarblast Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. pic.twitter.com/FlxJoK8BwD
— Malik Ali Raza (@MalikAliiRaza) January 30, 2023
“Such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our national resolve against terrorism,” he said.
Taking to Twitter, he said: “While the pain of the families of the victims cannot be described in words, I express my heartfelt condolences and most sincere sympathies. My message to the perpetrators of today’s heinous incident is that you cannot underestimate the resolve of our people.
Resolve to root out terror
On December 30, a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by PM Shehbaz was held which decided to turn up the heat on insurgency with relentless counter- and pre-emptive measures to neutralize the threats it poses in the country in any form.
I have just returned from Peshawar. The sheer scale of the human tragedy is unimaginable. This is nothing less than an attack on Pakistan. The nation is overwhelmed with a sense of deep sorrow. I have no doubt that terrorism is our foremost national security challenge.
— Shahbaz Sharif (@CMShahbaz) January 30, 2023
The participants of the NSC meeting categorically resolved that the national interests of Pakistan would not be compromised and no one would be allowed to undermine the national security.
The meeting was attended by service chiefs, intelligence chiefs and federal ministers.
