Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the Afghan government to adopt a tough policy against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying double standards will not be tolerated.
Addressing a Federal Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan’s army and law enforcement agencies were fully mobilized to combat terrorism, citing recent incidents in which Pakistani security personnel been targeted.
He recalled the recent tragic event in which 16 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel were martyred and the subsequent elimination of insurgents in North Waziristan, which also resulted in the martyrdom of a Pakistan Army major.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan, describing it as a neighboring and brotherly country.
He reiterated that Pakistan desires stronger ties with Afghanistan, especially in the areas of trade and economic cooperation, which could help foster mutual prosperity.
However, he expressed concern over the continued operations of the TTP from Afghan soil, responsible for the deaths of innocent Pakistanis.
Sharif stressed that the Afghan government must take a clear stance against the TTP, saying Pakistan can no longer tolerate the use of Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistani citizens.
“It’s a red line for us,” he said. “We will not allow the TTP to operate from Afghan soil and we will defend Pakistan’s territorial integrity at all costs.”
The Prime Minister called on Afghanistan to develop a comprehensive strategy to resolve this problem. He said that although Pakistan is keen to improve its relations with Afghanistan, it is not acceptable for TTP elements to have free rein in the neighboring country. “You cannot say one thing and do another,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of a coherent and firm policy on this issue.
Besides discussing Afghanistan’s role in the fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister paid tribute to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her martyrdom anniversary.
He spoke of her courage and invaluable contributions to Pakistan’s democracy, highlighting that she signed the Charter of Democracy with Nawaz Sharif in London, which was later supported by all major political parties.
He said his sacrifices for democracy would always be remembered.
On another note, Prime Minister Sharif addressed the continuing shortage of medical supplies in Parachinar, revealing that the federal government had sent a helicopter with 1,000 kilograms of medicines.
He also informed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was involved in the delivery of medicines and transfer of patients to Islamabad for treatment.
On the economic front, Prime Minister Sharif shared optimistic news with the cabinet, revealing that the national treasury is expected to receive an increase of 70 billion rupees this year. This positive development is seen as a step forward towards stabilizing the country’s finances.
Prime Minister Sharif also announced that Pakistan would soon host the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy, generating excitement among cricket fans across the country.
He assured that all preparations for the mega-event had been completed and expressed confidence that the Pakistan cricket team would showcase the country’s talent on the world stage. “We all hope that our players will demonstrate the potential of Pakistan and bring pride to the nation,” he said.
In addition to economic and sports news, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated his commitment to addressing domestic challenges while ensuring that Pakistan’s security, prosperity and international relations remain a top priority.