ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Saturday said the security agencies were completely equipped to root-out terrorism in the nation.
He told a press conference that occurrences like the Lahore bomb would not dissuade the government’s resolve and morale, and that an investigation into the incident was ongoing, and that the criminals will be brought to justice. The interior ministry has issued an alert to all institutions, instructing them to be watchful in order to avoid any unfortunate situations, he added.
“The deadlock in discussions with the TTP happened as a result of their untenable terms,” he stated, adding that two TTP terrorists were slain in Islamabad on January 18th, and that similar action would be taken against anybody attempting to disrupt the motherland’s tranquilly. The Minister stated that our country had paid a high price for the restoration of peace in the country, and that no one would be permitted to jeopardise it at any cost.
He said that in the fight against terrorism, we have lost over 80,000 lives and incurred an economic loss of over $150 billion. Sheikh Rashid responded to the opposition’s request for a march to Islamabad on March 23 by asking the opposition to reconsider its decision to stage the march and modify the date since several routes in the federal capital may be closed beginning March 21 as part of the Parade rehearsal.
In response to rumours that the government would adopt a presidential system, he stated that no such step has been considered in the cabinet. Sheikh Rashid stated his optimism that Prime Minister Imran Khan will serve out his five-year term and that the current opposition would not be able to carry out any undemocratic actions.
