ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said his government is working on a “comprehensive, effective and actionable strategy” to completely eliminate militant outfits in the country, state-run media reported, as Islamabad grapples with a rise in militant attacks in its western provinces.
Pakistan has struggled to contain increasing militant attacks in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and southwestern Balochistan provinces in recent months, where it faces twin insurgencies launched by the Pakistani Taliban and separatist Baloch militant outfits.
Sharif chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee on Counterterrorism and Establishment of the State’s Writ (Harden the State) in Islamabad, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report. The meeting was attended by senior military and government officials, including Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik, the four provincial chief secretaries, police chiefs, senior ministers and officials.
“He [Sharif] said Pakistan is working on a comprehensive, effective, and actionable strategy for the complete elimination of anti-social elements including Fitna Al-Hindustan and Khawarij,” Radio Pakistan said.
