Islamabad – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the country’s economic progress depends on achieving “complete peace” amid the security challenges facing the country.
Pakistan has recently witnessed an increase in terrorist activities, especially in Khyber and Balochistan provinces. Terror attacks have increased since the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) violated a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government.
According to the annual security report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies, 2024 was the deadliest year for civilian and military security forces, with a total of 444 terrorist attacks and at least 685 security force members killed.
Addressing a meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Committee (SIFC) in Islamabad today, he said economic development is directly linked to political stability as a country's economic strength is embedded in its political framework.
“Security has become a major challenge today, and we cannot move forward without crushing our heads. [terrorism]”.
He emphasized the need to remember the officers and soldiers of the military, law enforcement agencies, and police who sacrificed their lives and left their families behind to defend the country.
He added: “This is the ultimate sacrifice that we need to respect and we need to tell people that terrorism is on the rise again.”
“Every day there is an incident that results in the martyrdom of 10 people – whether border force, police or military personnel. This is a story of the ultimate sacrifice.
About Gulam
The prime minister also congratulated the signing of the Gurram peace agreement while warning: “This is a lesson and such heartbreaking events should not happen again.”
The provincial government announced Wednesday that after three weeks of protracted negotiations, the warring parties in Kulum have signed a 14-point peace agreement that provides for a permanent ceasefire, settlement of land disputes and a ban on the use of weapons in the volatile region.
