Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that terrorists are once again raising their heads, but vowed that they would be uprooted from Pakistan and defeated decisively.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the National Peace Message Committee, the Prime Minister reiterated his resolve to eliminate poverty, unemployment, debt, and terrorism from the country. He stressed that national unity and solidarity are needed today more than ever.
He said the menace of terrorism has resurfaced, adding that the nexus of Khawarij, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) is active with the backing of hostile forces. “We will lift terrorism from Pakistan’s borders and defeat it completely,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan came into existence after immense sacrifices under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He noted that people from all schools of thought and minority communities played their role in the Pakistan Movement. He said all religions enjoy complete freedom of worship and celebration in Pakistan, and every citizen has the right to progress on the basis of hard work and merit.
He said Pakistan has been blessed with vast natural resources, and if these are utilized properly, issues such as poverty, unemployment, and debt can be resolved.
Referring to the events of May 2025, the Prime Minister said the armed forces taught the enemy a lesson it would never forget. He said the success was the result of divine help, the professional capabilities of the armed forces, modern technology, and the prayers of 240 million people. He said the nation achieved a major victory under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Paying tribute to more than 100,000 Pakistanis who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism, the Prime Minister said the armed forces, police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies rendered unmatched sacrifices. He said terrorism was defeated in 2018 and would be eliminated again with the same resolve.
On the occasion, National Peace Message Committee Convener Maulana Tahir Ashrafi said efforts would be made to live up to the Prime Minister’s trust. He announced that a two-day conference of religious scholars and spiritual leaders would be held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while committee members would visit different parts of the country, engage with security institutions, and play a frontline role in the battle of narratives.
Participants said religious scholars would play their role on the ideological front, counter extremism and intellectual terrorism, and promote the Message of Pakistan at educational and social levels across the country.