Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan cannot progress unless terrorism is completely eradicated from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking at a high-level meeting in Quetta on the law and order situation, he stressed the need for collective efforts to prevent incidents like the recent train hijacking.
He also paid tribute to Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and security forces for their successful operation in rescuing 339 passengers of the Jaffar Express, who were taken hostage by terrorists in the Bolan area. He condemned the attackers, stating that they did not even respect the sanctity of Ramadan.
The prime minister reaffirmed that Balochistan’s development is crucial for Pakistan’s progress and that the province must be brought on par with the rest of the country.
He also criticized the previous government, hinting at PTI without directly naming it, for its alleged ties with the Taliban, which he believes contributed to the resurgence of terrorism.
Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the propaganda against the security forces and martyrs, stating that such toxic narratives were being spread by enemies and even amplified by a neighboring country. He warned that any attempt to disrespect the sacrifices of soldiers would not be tolerated.
He urged all political forces to unite and devise a strategy to eliminate terrorism and stabilize the country’s economy.
His visit to Quetta followed the deadly Jaffar Express hijacking incident, in which terrorists from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) took over the train carrying more than 400 passengers. The security forces successfully neutralized all 33 terrorists involved in the attack.
During the operation, 21 passengers were killed before security forces could intervene, while four Frontier Corps personnel were also martyred.
The military’s spokesperson revealed that the terrorists were in contact with their facilitators in Afghanistan via satellite phone and were eventually taken out by snipers.
Following the attack, emergency measures were taken in Sibi and Quetta’s Civil Hospital, where 29 injured passengers were shifted. The hospital administration confirmed that all injured passengers are in stable condition. Additionally, 47 passengers were transferred from Mach to Quetta for further medical care.
