Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for united efforts to prevent incidents like the Jaffar Express attack, stating that peace in Pakistan is impossible without eliminating terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking in Quetta, he strongly condemned the recent Bolan attack, where terrorists took over 400 passengers hostage and killed many.
He mourned that even during Ramadan, the attackers showed no compassion for women, children, or the elderly.
The prime minister commended security forces for rescuing 339 hostages and neutralizing 33 terrorists but cautioned that Pakistan cannot afford another such tragedy.
He commended the Balochistan government, local leaders, and federal authorities to work together in tackling terrorism.
Shehbaz stressed that Pakistan’s future progress depends on Balochistan’s development and stressed that true national peace requires eradicating terrorism from KP and Balochistan.
Reflecting on past efforts, he recalled that terrorism had been crushed by 2018, thanks to the sacrifices of 80,000 Pakistanis and a $30 billion economic cost.
He credited Nawaz Sharif’s leadership and the contributions of the military, police, and the public for restoring peace at the time.
He questioned the reappearance of terrorism, criticizing those who reestablished ties with the Taliban and released militants, allowing extremist elements to regain strength.
The prime minister praised the dedication of security forces in KP and Balochistan, acknowledging their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation. He urged people to honor their bravery and commitment.
Shehbaz also denounced those who exploit such tragedies for political motives, accusing Pakistan’s eastern neighbor of fueling hostility and giving a platform to anti-Pakistan forces.
Additionally, he warned against internal elements hidden as allies while conspiring with external adversaries to destabilize the country.