Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
Monday said the government would take every step to bring peace and stability in the country to save the future generations.
"Without eliminating terrorism and extremism, we cannot place Pakistain on fast track of development," he said while speaking to the parliamentary party meeting of Pakistain Moslem League-Nawaz (PML-N) which was held at the PM office.
Sources informed DawnNews that a majority of PML-N parliamentarians supported launching the military offensive against Pak Taliban in the meeting while few were still favouring peace talks without majority's support.
The prime minister said that officers and soldiers of the armed forces laying down their lives were their heroes and their blood would not go in vain.
"We are a peaceful nation and believe in peaceful relations based on respect with all our neighbors including India. We need to begin a new era of peace and stability, which will be beneficial for Pakistain as well as the whole region."
"We have to rebuild the image of Pakistain as a peace loving country," said the premier, adding that this can be achieved only through hard work and combined efforts of all stakeholders including parliamentarians, civil society, executive, judiciary and defence forces.
About the issue of law and order and terrorism, he said that situation in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
has improved and a 40 per cent decrease in the heinous crimes has been observed which is due to the concerted efforts of government and law enforcement agencies.
"We are going through an extraordinary situation, and this situation demands tough decisions," he added.
Sharif said the country was facing two major problems; fragile economy and terrorism, adding that on economic front, the government had taken actions which were proving to be fruitful.
He said that economic indicators, despite law and order situation, were positive, adding that a corruption free society and transparent system was the road to progress.
Deliberating upon the energy situation, PM Sharif said that though the problem has not been fully resolved, the power availability was better this year as compared to last year.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar and Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting on the economic and security policies of the government.
Dar said that positive government policies have increased the chances of accessing international capital market and all international financial institutions were engaged with Pakistain.
Chaudhry Nisar said that the National Internal Security Policy (NISP) has been devised and would be implemented after approval of the federal cabinet.