ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned the terror attacks in Pakistan involving banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) using Afghan soil saying that was “unacceptable” as Islamabad was completely prepared to protect its people but desired to resolve the matter peacefully.
The PM, in his remarks at the meeting of the cabinet chaired by him, pointed out the increase in terror incidents, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan causing the killing of the personnel of the army, police and civil armed forces.
Voicing serious concerns over the recent increase in terror activities especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Shehbaz Sharif said that this is being done under an organized conspiracy. Referring to the involvement of banned TTP in terror attacks, the PM said the terror emanating from a neighboring nation is not acceptable at all. He stated Pakistan is ready to protect its nationals. He said Islamabad wants to address this issue through talks and peaceful means.
“But how is it possible that we hosted millions of their people here without any complaint? We treated them like our brothers and never considered them as a burden. But we were rewarded in the form of TTP attacks on our citizens to mar the country’s peace and business. This is not acceptable,” the PM said. Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan was ready to face any kind of situation as its valiant armed forces had sacrificed their lives to defend the nation and its people.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives to Foreign Office to issue demarche relevant countries after vandalism attacks on various diplomatic missions of Pakistan. He issued the order while addressing a cabinet meeting in Islamabad. He said that Pakistani missions were attacked in different countries including Germany and the United Kingdom. He added that the foreign office took immediate actions over the attacks. The PM said, “It is our duty to protect Pakistani missions abroad”.
Propaganda Campaign
The Prime Minister regretted the propaganda campaign unleashed by PTI against the armed forces of the country, which he said, will not be tolerated at all. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need to unite against such malicious drives, stressing that our armed forces have made immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism to ensure peace and stability in Pakistan.
Liberal Visa regime
The Prime Minister also said the government is undertaking efforts to ensure ease of business in the country. Citing a recent conversation amongst different ministries, the PM said they have agreed to a liberal visa regime to promote tourism including religious tourism across the country. The PM said the visa regime will be presented in the cabinet for the approval.
Sharing details of the new visa regime, Shehbaz Sharif said it envisages major changes, including providing free visas to tourists and businessmen from one hundred and twenty-six countries. He hoped that this policy will open Pakistan’s corridors for tourists and business community. He said that the visa will also be provided in 24 hours through electronic travel authorization form.
Shehbaz Sharif said e-gates will also be set up at nine airports and Gwadar port. The PM further said that these e-gates will be established in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports in the first phase.
