Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that there is solid and credible evidence of a nexus between the Afghan Taliban and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), warning that terrorism is once again re-emerging as a serious threat to the country.
Addressing members of the National Peace Message Committee in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan had successfully crushed terrorism in the past and would do so again with full force.
“Just like in 2018, we will completely defeat terrorism. Terrorists will not be allowed to operate on our soil,”
he said, adding that those responsible would be pursued beyond Pakistan’s borders if necessary.
PM Shehbaz stated that hostile elements were providing all kinds of support and resources to terrorist groups, including the TTP, to destabilise Pakistan. He stressed that the government possessed concrete proof of coordination between Afghan Taliban factions and the TTP.
Highlighting the need for unity, the prime minister welcomed the presence of prominent religious scholars from all schools of thought, calling it a positive and timely development.
“National unity is needed today more than ever before. Issues must be resolved through dialogue and consensus,” he said.
The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability, and security across the country, stating that terrorism would be eliminated at all costs.