Latest news with #Radd-ul-Fasaad
Business Recorder
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM explains Pakistan's anti-terror plan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to eradicating terrorism, citing the country's internationally recognised counterterrorism strategy and urging stronger coordination across government agencies. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Steering Committee on Counter-Terrorism and Establishment of State Authority – referred to as the 'Harden the State' initiative – Sharif was joined by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, senior military officials, and federal and provincial ministers. The meeting focused on strengthening national institutions and addressing threats posed by extremist groups labelled by the government as 'Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khawarij'. These terms, part of a broader psychological and semantic campaign, are used to delegitimise insurgent and terrorist actors. 'Our resolve to root out terrorism remains unshaken,' Sharif said, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. 'The world recognises Pakistan's successful operations against terrorist elements, and we shall continue to build on this momentum.' The government's strategy, described as 'comprehensive, effective and workable,' includes a blend of military action, legislative reform, and public engagement aimed at dismantling extremist networks. Sharif cited operations such as Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb as 'historic victories' that have gained international recognition. He called for effective coordination between federal and provincial authorities and directed full implementation of the committee's recommendations. The prime minister emphasised the importance of ground operations, legal instruments, and efforts to combat extremist narratives in the public sphere. Sharif also paid tribute to the country's armed forces and law enforcement agencies, calling them 'a source of pride for the entire nation.' In addition to terrorism, the committee reviewed other internal security concerns, including the smuggling of goods and the presence of undocumented immigrants. Sharif reported progress in curbing smuggling and noted that these efforts were contributing positively to Pakistan's economic outlook. He also confirmed the ongoing repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals, in line with international law. 'Only a terror-free, peaceful, and strong state structure can restore international investor confidence,' Sharif said. He linked recent security gains to economic reforms, pointing to increased digitisation, tax system improvements, a record surge in the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and improved global credit ratings as indicators of renewed investor trust. Among those in attendance were Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Security Adviser and ISI Director General Lt Gen Asim Malik, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, as well as chief secretaries, police chiefs, and senior officials from across the provinces. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan committed to eradicating terrorism: PM Shehbaz
PM Shehbaz chairing review meeting of the counterterrorism steering committee in Islamabad on July 31. Photo: Radio Pakistan 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۔… — 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.
Business Recorder
31-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz vows tougher stance against militancy, lauds counter-terror efforts
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed his government's resolve to eliminate terrorism and enforce the writ of the state, saying Pakistan had adopted a multifaceted strategy to tackle militancy and violent extremism. Chairing a high-level meeting of the steering committee on counterterrorism and state authority, referred to as the 'Harden the State' initiative, the premier said the world acknowledged Pakistan's gains in its fight against terrorism. 'Pakistan's brave forces have taken decisive action through operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad. In the latest battles, the world has seen Pakistan's success,' the prime minister said, according to a statement issued by the PM Office. He credited the country's counterterrorism approach with combining ground operations, legislation, public engagement, and efforts to curb extremist ideologies. PM Shehbaz praised the coordination between federal and provincial governments and directed full implementation of the committee's recommendations to bolster security and intelligence cooperation. 'Our brave officers and soldiers who have laid down their lives for the motherland are a source of pride for the nation,' he said, adding that the war against terrorism had unified the armed forces, intelligence services, law enforcement, and the Pakistani people. The prime minister also appreciated the role played by the Counter Terrorism Departments, especially in Punjab, as well as the contributions of the Interior Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau. The prime minister said the government was actively working on a comprehensive and actionable strategy to eliminate threats posed by groups like 'Fitna-e-Hindustan' and 'Fitna-e-Khawarij' -references often used for Indian-backed proxies and violent extremist groups. He further noted that joint actions by relevant institutions had curbed smuggling, helping stabilize the economy. 'The impact of anti-smuggling efforts has been positive for the economy,' he added. Highlighting broader governance reforms, the premier said initiatives such as the digitisation of government systems and tax reforms were helping to restore investor confidence. He pointed to recent gains in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and improved global credit ratings as signs of economic recovery. On the issue of illegal Afghan migrants, PM Shehbaz said their repatriation was continuing in line with international law. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Asim Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, chief secretaries, police chiefs of all provinces, and other senior officials.
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First Post
28-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Pakistan: Protest against counter-terror ops turns deadly in KPK as 3 killed in firing by gunmen
Three people were killed and several injured after gunmen opened fire on a protest in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Locals were demonstrating against counter-terror operations following a girl's death in a mortar strike. read more Unknown gunmen opened fire on a protest in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, killing three people and injuring several others, news agency PTI reported, citing officials. The demonstrations were staged against ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region. The protest erupted in the Tirah Valley after a young girl was killed a day earlier in a mortar attack in Zakha Khel, located in Khyber District. In response, angry locals gathered and placed the girl's body outside the Momand Ghuz security checkpoint to demand accountability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Suhail Afridi, special assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, confirmed that the protesters were fired upon by terrorists, leaving three people dead and eight injured. Pak's deep-rooted security challenge Terrorism remains a major security threat in Pakistan, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Ironically, while Pakistan presents itself internationally as a victim of terrorism, it has long been accused of supporting extremist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, especially in their operations against India. Military operations and human rights concerns Inside its borders, Pakistan has waged several large-scale military operations—such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad—to dismantle militant networks. Yet groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State (IS) affiliates, and Baloch separatist outfits remain active, frequently targeting civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. The state's heavy-handed counter-terror tactics have led to serious human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and unlawful detentions. These actions have deepened mistrust among citizens and eroded confidence in the rule of law. Persistent militancy and regional hotspots The tribal belt near the Afghan border continues to be a hub of militant activity. Meanwhile, Balochistan has witnessed an uptick in violence, often directed at Chinese projects tied to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Though urban centers like Karachi and Lahore have seen a relative decline in attacks, the threat of sleeper cells and lone-wolf actors remains. Worsening rights crisis in Balochistan In Balochistan, the security situation is compounded by long-standing grievances over political marginalisation and economic exploitation. The region has become a focal point of allegations regarding systemic human rights violations, particularly targeting students, activists, and political dissenters. Human rights watchdogs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented repeated cases of torture, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings—often attributed to state agencies operating without accountability. Enforced disappearances and public outrage Families of the disappeared frequently organise sit-ins and protests, displaying photographs of their missing loved ones and demanding justice. Thousands of cases have been reported to Pakistan's Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, with Balochistan accounting for a disproportionate share. However, few have been resolved, and the perpetrators rarely face consequences. Suppressing dissent through fear Activists argue that these disappearances are part of a broader strategy to suppress the Baloch nationalist movement and silence dissent against controversial state-led projects like CPEC. The lack of judicial oversight, transparency, and accountability has only widened the trust deficit between the Baloch people and the federal government—fuelling further instability in an already volatile region.
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghan rulers must honour Doha deal to ensure regional stability: Bilawal Bhutto
Listen to article Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the Taliban government's repeated breaches of its commitments are contributing to instability in the region, urging the Afghan interim administration to uphold the promises made in the Doha Agreement. Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad titled "Pakistan: A Bulwark Against Terrorism", Bilawal said terrorism is a global challenge and emphasised that Pakistan has paid a heavy price both in lives and resources in the fight against it. He added that Pakistan continues to carry out strong actions against terrorist groups. 'For over two decades, our armed forces have played an effective role in the war against terrorism,' he said, highlighting military operations such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, which he said broke the back of terrorist networks. He described digital propaganda as one of the most complex challenges of the current era. Read: Bilawal urges India to uphold ceasefire 'We never invited terrorism, but when it came, we did not bow—we fought,' Bhutto stated. 'There is no word for surrender in Pakistan's dictionary. We call on the world to respect our passport, our sacrifices, and our resolve.' Bhutto also extended a message to India, saying it should learn from Pakistan's counterterrorism capabilities. 'We are ready to work with India to counter terrorism. Let's talk—about Kashmir, water, and terrorism,' he said. Repeating his warning, Bhutto said the Taliban's broken promises continue to destabilise the region and urged Afghanistan's interim rulers to fully honour the commitments made under the Doha Agreement.
