Interior minister reiterates resolve to eliminate terrorism from country

KARACHI: Caretaker Interior Minister Senator Sarfraz Bugti while reiterating the resolve for the elimination of terrorism from Pakistan said on Friday that all possible measures would be taken for maintaining peace to achieve the goals of development and prosperity of the nation.

The minister, while addressing the passing out ceremony of the Pakistan Coast Guard’s 43^rd Basic Recruit Training Course, said that valiant nations face difficult situations gallantly and Pakistani nation’s unwavering resolve against violence and terrorism could not be shattered.

“Terrorists wanted to impose their extremist ideology on 240 million people of Pakistan by violence and acts of intimidation but we will not surrender and encounter all forms and manifestations of violence with courage and unity,” he vowed and urged that the entire nation should demonstrate unity in the war against terrorism and bust the nefarious designs of anti-Pakistan forces, the official news agency reported.

Sarfraz Bugti offered his condolences to the families of the jawans of the Pakistan Army who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty. “The entire nation is proud of the unmatched sacrifices of valiant armed forces and law enforcement agencies for the safe, secure, and prosperous future of Pakistan,” he said.

“Sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army, para-military forces, police, levies, and people of Pakistan in the war against terrorism will be remembered forever,” he maintained.

“The government envisions Balochistan as the future of Pakistan and a peaceful Balochistan is a beacon of hope for strong Pakistan as this vast province was bestowed with precious natural resources and could attain the status of the jugular vein in the economy of the country.”

Unfortunately, some terrorist elements and their anti-state activities were not only obstructing the development of the province but were also trying to delude the youth, he noted. “Their malicious designs will not succeed.”

Commending Pakistan Coast Guard’s efforts and endeavour to make the country’s coastline safe and secure, the minister said that PCG in collaboration with Pakistan Army and civil armed forces was striving hard to maintain law and order in the entire coastal belt, particularly in Balochistan, and over 50 jawans of PCG had laid their lives for maintaining peace and foil the nefarious designs of the enemy.

“The situation has greatly ameliorated and trade and economic activities were flourishing in coastal areas due to the efforts of PCG,” he observed.

“PCG has successfully accomplished with professional excellence important responsibilities of prevention of smuggling of drugs, movement of illegal immigrants and activities of anti-state elements and terrorists.”

The minister also announced that steps would be taken for the addition of a 15 percent special allowance in salaries of PCGs like FC.

Earlier, PCG Director General Brigadier Ghulam Abbas welcomed the interior minister on his arrival at the headquarters of Pakistan Coast Guards.

A smartly turned-out contingent of PCG presented a guard of honour to the minister.