Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said that his government will not let the sacrifices rendered by tribal people go waste.
He made the remarks while interacting with tribal elders during his maiden visit to North Waziristan. “The people of tribal districts have rendered great sacrifices and we owe them a lot. We will not let their sacrifices go to waste,” the prime minister told them.
He thanked tribal elders for their all-out support in the war against terrorism for a peaceful and stable Pakistan. “Our priority will be to ensure civic facilities for the local community on a par with the rest of Pakistan,” he said, adding that all problems of the area would be addressed with collective efforts. He added that tribal people would be called to Islamabad to find a solution to their problems.
The prime minister also announced the construction of a university and a medical college in North Waziristan. He added that the Danish School System and a mobile van hospital would also be built.
In response, tribal elders assured the prime minister of their complete support for the peace, stability and prosperity of Pakistan. Federal Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Mufti Abdul Shakoor and PML N leader Amir Muqam accompanied the prime minister.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa received the prime minister on his arrival in North Waziristan. Later, the premier placed a wreath at the the martyrs’ monument and offered prayers for martyred soldiers.
During the visit, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the prevalent security situation with a special focus on terrorists’ activities from across the border, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. Shehbaz was also briefed on the western border management system, including the status of border fencing.
He paid a rich tribute to the armed forces for their efforts against terrorism. PM Shehbaz said it was not too long ago that terrorists had been indiscriminately targeting innocent men, women, children, educational institutions and state infrastructure across the country.
“Thanks to the valiant efforts of our armed forces, fully supported by the nation, we have been successful in defeating and degrading all types of terrorist organisations and dismantling their infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, the prime minister on Thursday summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), sources said. The meeting with being held at 2 pm at the PM’s Office today. All cabinet members and services chiefs will attend the meeting, sources added.
Separately, the prime minister Thursday said that his government would take all-out measures to ensure the uplift of the Baloch youth. He expressed these views during a meeting with Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chairman Sardar Akhtar Mengal. The meeting, which was attended by federal ministers Rana Sanaullah and Khwaja Saad Rafique, discussed the current political situation in the country.
Also, the prime minister and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman discussed the overall political situation in the country. During the meeting, Fazl expressed concern over economic indicators presented during the government’s first cabinet meeting, the PM’s Office said. He welcomed the government’s commitment to steer the country out of challenges to ensure a journey of progress and development.
A delegation of the Awami National Party (ANP), including MNA Amir Haider Khan Hoti and party leader Aimal Wali Khan, also called on Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq and ANP senior leader Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour were also present.
The delegation congratulated the prime minister on the assumption of the office and also discussed the overall political situation in the country.
Moreover, a delegation of the Balochistan Awami Party led by Khalid Hussain Magsi and Jam Kamal Khan Thursday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Besides discussing the overall political situation, the delegation members lauded the prime minister for putting the development of Balochistan among the government’s priorities. Federal Minister Israr Tarin, senators Anwarul Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti and Samina Mumtaz, MNAs Ihsanullah Reki and Rubina Irfan and Bilawal Afridi attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the prime minister strongly condemned a bomb blast at a mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif city of Afghanistan.
