Prime Minister (PM) Raja Pervez Ashraf directed law enforcing agencies of all provinces to beef up security arrangements and to evolve a mechanism to maintain peace and harmony during the holy month of Muharram- ul-Haram.
In his opening remarks at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday‚ he said the federal government would extend all possible assistance to the provincial governments in this regard.
The PM expressed serious concern over the law and order situation in Karachi and said miscreants were trying to create sectarian strife in the city. He said extremism, militancy, intolerance, sectarian violence and terrorism had posed a serious threat and challenge to national sovereignty, security and cohesion. “We, as a nation, have to thwart sinister designs of terrorists and the government would play its part in eliminating these elements,” he added.
The PM appealed to the people of Karachi to keep an eye on suspicious activities of miscreants and inform the law enforcing agencies about any unusual activity. He urged Ulema and religious scholars to play their role in bringing peace to the city. He also condemned the suicide attack at Rangers Headquarters in Karachi.
The cabinet expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the cowardly act of terrorism.
The cabinet also offered fateha for the soul of former senator and law minister Iqbal Haider who passed away this week.
The federal cabinet congratulated President Barack Obama on his re-election.
The PM said Pakistan and United States had common bilateral interests and shared regional objectives of peace, security and stability. “As partners in a shared enterprise, I am confident that we would be able to continue to pursue our collective goals to the mutual benefit of both our countries,” he said.
The PM apprised the cabinet about his visit to Laos where he attended the Asia Europe Meeting Summit and also met several world leaders on the sidelines. He said the 9th Asia European Summit discussed the unfortunate misuse of freedom of expression, causing misunderstanding between followers of various religions.
He said this trend was being seen as another kind of extremism that was neither desirable nor welcome. He said all religions taught tolerance and accommodation and stressed the need to inculcate and promote respect for these values. Ashraf said during the summit, Pakistan’s efforts to improve human rights situation in the country including women rights and protection of rights of minorities were also highlighted.
He mentioned that Pakistan’s desire for peace in the region, especially in Afghanistan was also discussed.
He said the role of the present government in strengthening institutions and democracy in the country was discussed and added that the government’s resolve to hold free and fair elections was also appreciated by world leaders.
PM orders strict security measures for Muharram
