
Pakistan committed to eradicating terrorism: PM Shehbaz
Listen to article
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to eradicating terrorism, saying the country has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to eliminate the threat from its roots.
Chairing a review meeting of the counterterrorism steering committee in Islamabad on Thursday, Sharif said, 'The State of Pakistan is committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism at its roots, and the world acknowledges Pakistan's successful operations against terrorists.'
He highlighted that Pakistan's anti-terrorism strategy includes ground operations, legal reforms, public engagement, and countering extremist ideologies. He directed the committee to ensure strong coordination between federal and provincial authorities and strict implementation of recommendations.
The prime minister also praised the Pakistan Armed Forces for their role in major operations such as Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad, and the recently concluded Marka-e-Haq, which he described as a "historic battle" recognised globally as a major success.
'The entire nation, including the families of officers and personnel who sacrificed their lives for the motherland, takes pride in their bravery and selflessness,' he said.
Sharif acknowledged the contributions of provincial governments, the Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Interior, and Counter-Terrorism Departments—particularly Punjab's CTD—in the fight against terrorism.
He said Pakistan is implementing a comprehensive strategy to dismantle anti-social elements including 'Fitna al-Hindustan' and 'Khawarij.'
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت انسداد دہشت گردی و ریاستی رٹ کے قیام (Harden the State) کے حوالے سے قائم اسٹیرنگ کمیٹی کا جائزہ اجلاس
ریاست پاکستان، دہشت گردی کے ناسور کو جڑ سے ختم کرنے کے لیے پرعزم ہے اور دنیا دہشت گردوں کے خلاف ہماری کامیاب کاروائیوں کی معترف ہے۔… pic.twitter.com/0duvpOscYA — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 31, 2025
Addressing economic security, the prime minister said coordinated efforts by relevant institutions had significantly curbed smuggling, which has positively impacted the national economy.
He stressed the importance of peace and security for restoring investor confidence, citing digitisation reforms, improvements in the tax system, and a surge in the Pakistan Stock Exchange as signs of growing economic stability.
Sharif also said that the repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan was being carried out effectively and in line with international laws.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, National Security Advisor Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, ministers, provincial chief secretaries, inspectors general of police, and other officials.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
20 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
PM turns up the pace on relief for flood-hit G-B
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a Rs4 billion relief package for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) to help the region cope with recent flood devastation and instructed for establishing an advanced weather alert system to minimise losses in any future eventuality. The prime minister visited G-B to take stock of the devastation caused by persistent heavy rainfall, landslides, and flooding. During his visit, he chaired high-level meetings and also discussed the status of ongoing development projects with the local leadership. The country's northern and central regions have witnessed heavy rains since the monsoon season began in the last week of June. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), these rains and subsequent flash floods have resulted in 299 deaths nationwide. Last week, the G-B government declared a state of emergency in 37 flood-ravaged areas across the region. The catastrophic flash floods have claimed at least 10 lives, left several tourists missing, and caused an estimated Rs20 billion in damages. G-B government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq had appealed for federal support in the wake of the massive devastation, expressing hope that the national leadership would step in to assist the victims and help heal their wounds. Speaking at a ceremony in Gilgit on Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced the Rs4 billion package for relief and rehabilitation in the flood-hit areas. He also distributed cheques among the families of those who were killed in the recent floods and rains. Shehbaz directed that work on repairing damaged roads, infrastructure, and other development projects in the area be accelerated. He assured that the federal government would continue to collaborate with the G-B government in its relief efforts. Meanwhile, chairing a meeting on rehabilitation work, the prime minister emphasised the need for early warning systems, preparedness for relief operations, and the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable areas, keeping in view the challenges of climate change. "The NDMA and the Ministry of Climate Change should jointly establish a forecasting and monitoring centre for Gilgit-Baltistan in the coming months," the prime minister told the meeting. He added that a comprehensive system must be developed for immediate rescue and assistance in emergencies. During the meeting, the provincial administration and the NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the losses caused by the heavy monsoon rains, the expected weather conditions, and the actions taken so far. The Ministry of Climate Change informed the meeting about the progress on installing an early warning system for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), while the Ministry of Communications provided a briefing on the damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The prime minister instructed that all damaged infrastructure should be rebuilt with climate resilience in mind. He directed the NDMA to cooperate with the Ministry of Climate Change to complete the installation of the early warning system within the next two months. Regarding development projects, the prime minister announced that Daanish Schools would be established in Gilgit-Baltistan. He also mentioned that he was personally overseeing the solar power project approved by the Central Development Working Party for the region. During his daylong visit, the prime minister met with G-B Governor Mehdi Shah, who apprised him of the post-flood situation. Separately, G-B Chief Minister Gulbar Khan also called on the prime minister to discuss key local issues. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)


Express Tribune
20 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Afghan FM visit postponed at last minute
The long-awaited visit of Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Islamabad was postponed at the last minute due to what officials cited as a "technical issue". Muttaqi was scheduled to begin a crucial three-day trip to Islamabad from August 4, as part of renewed efforts by both sides to reset their troubled relationship. Preparations had been finalised and all of the Afghan foreign minister's engagements confirmed. However, before Islamabad and Kabul could formally announce the visit on Sunday, a "technical issue" forced a delay. While officials did not elaborate on the nature of the issue, it is believed to be related to the UNSC-imposed travel ban on Taliban leaders. The two sides are expected to work together to sort out the technical hitch, with the visit likely to take place sooner rather than later. Muttaqi's visit had been long overdue, as both countries have been working to de-escalate tensions. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has travelled to Kabul twice since April in a renewed diplomatic push to resolve the issues bedevilling bilateral ties. The high-level exchanges yielded some progress, particularly on concerns regarding the presence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-Pakistan groups. According to officials, the Taliban administration has taken certain steps, including discouraging Afghan nationals from joining the ranks of the TTP. In another sign of improving ties, Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadorial appointments. Sources confirmed that Muttaqi remains keen to visit Pakistan and will do so as soon as the issue is resolved. This would mark his first visit to Islamabad since May 2023, when he attended a trilateral meeting involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. According to sources, Beijing has also played a key role in bringing Islamabad and Kabul closer. Pakistan had long been urging the Taliban-led government in Kabul to tackle threats posed by banned groups such as the TTP. While Kabul has publicly denied the presence of such groups, it has privately cited an inability to take action against them. Nonetheless, Pakistan has succeeded in persuading the Afghan regime to take some concrete steps, including crackdowns on Afghan nationals involved with the TTP. The Afghan authorities have also taken action against those facilitating others to join the group. The measures have helped ease tensions between the two neighbours. Officials said Pakistan would continue to encourage the Taliban government to pursue similar actions. In return, Pakistan and China are prepared to support Kabul both economically and diplomatically.


Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
PM condemns Israeli settlers for storming Al-Aqsa mosque
Pakistan on Monday unequivocally condemned the recent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli ministers, accompanied by settler groups and shielded by Israeli police. "This sacrilege against one of Islam's holiest sites is not only an affront to the faith of over a billion Muslims, but also a direct assault on international law and the collective conscience of humanity," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on his X timeline. He said that such systematic provocations by the occupying power, coupled with reckless calls for annexation, imperil the prospects for peace. The prime minister said that Israel's shameless actions were deliberately inflaming tensions in Palestine and the wider region, pushing the Middle East closer to further instability and conflict. "Pakistan reiterates its urgent call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to all acts of aggression, and the revival of a credible peace process leading to an independent and viable State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, under international law and relevant UN resolutions," Prime Minister Shehbaz added. Separately, Islamabad has strongly condemned the provocative and deeply offensive desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque by thousands of Israeli settlers, including senior ministers, officials, and Knesset members, under the protection of Israeli occupying forces. In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the presence and statements of senior Israeli officials, and the repugnant declaration that "the Temple Mount is ours," are a dangerous and deliberate attempt to provoke religious sentiments across the world, escalate tensions, and alter the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.