He was addressing a meeting of parliamentary leaders in Peshawar today to discuss the national tragedy in which 141 people, mostly school children, were martyred by the terrorists on Tuesday.
The prominent among those who are attending the meeting include PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Siraj ul Haq, President Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan, Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, MQM leader Rashid Godail, National Party chief Mir Hasil Bazinjo, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, PML (Q) leader Mushahid Hussain Syed, Ejaz ul Haq, Federal Ministers Ishaq Dar, Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, Pervez Rashid, Akram Khan Durrani, all four chief ministers, AJK Prime Minister, PML -N leaders, Raja Zafar ul Haq, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Pir Sabir Shah, Ameer Muqam and PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Jehangir Tareen.
The meeting started with Fateha for the school children, teachers, staff and security officials who were martyred in yesterday’s attack.
The prime minister stressed that the nation is waging jihad against terrorism and this mission will not be left unaccomplished.
Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, the prime minister described it as an inhuman and barbaric act.
He recalled that the government started dialogue with militants after evolving consensus of all political parties. But the government was left with no other option but to launch military operation against terrorists due to their intransigence.
The prime minister stressed that operation Zarb-e-Azb is successfully moving forward and Pakistan was making efforts for peace in the region.
Prime Minister said the recent visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan opened a new era of joint efforts to defeat terrorism. Both countries had agreed to not allow their soil to be used by terrorists.
Prime Minister said Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif who is now in Kabul will hold talks with his Afghan counterpart, President Ashraf Ghani and ISAF Commander on joint efforts to combat terrorism.
Prime Minister invited the attention of the parliamentary leaders for effective legislation to ensure early conclusion of cases involving terrorists and criminals. Without addressing this issue, terrorism cannot be defeated.
