Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said India’s role in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan was “absolutely clear,” while calling for a united national response to terrorism during the Balochistan National Workshop in Islamabad.
What Did the Prime Minister Say?
Addressing participants at the workshop, Shehbaz said Pakistan remained committed to combating terrorism and alleged that India was sponsoring militant activities inside the country.
The prime minister also said the Afghan Taliban had failed to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.
According to Shehbaz, terrorism had largely been eliminated by 2018 but later returned as part of what he described as an “organized conspiracy.” He added that Pakistan would continue efforts to eliminate militancy and ensure that the sacrifices made by the people of Balochistan were not in vain.
Referring to the security situation, the prime minister noted that around 90,000 Pakistanis had lost their lives in the country’s fight against terrorism and mentioned the killing of a sessions judge in Mastung a day earlier.
What Else Did Shehbaz Highlight?
The prime minister said Balochistan’s leadership and people had consistently supported the federation and emphasized that Pakistan’s development depended on the equal contribution of all four provinces.
He also said work was continuing on the Karachi–Chaman dual carriageway project and noted that Punjab had contributed to Balochistan’s share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
On foreign policy, Shehbaz praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their diplomatic efforts during the recent US-Iran conflict, saying Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace had received international recognition.
The prime minister’s remarks came a day after Field Marshal Asim Munir, speaking at the 20th National Workshop Balochistan, said Pakistan’s security forces would continue operations against militant groups and defeat what he described as foreign-sponsored proxies seeking to destabilize Balochistan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).