President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday said that the National Action Plan should continue actively until the elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country.
He was addressing a function held in Islamabad on Thursday in connection with Pakistan Day Celebrations.
The President said that the criminals, whosoever they are and in whichever group and party they belonged to, should be given punishment.
He said that everyone would be responsible for his own deeds.
The President said it was the prime responsibility of the government to maintain law and order in the country and it was utilising all its resources to maintain peace and eradicate terrorism and extremism.
The President also urged the journalist community and society to actively play their roles in the development of Pakistan, adding that it was their responsibility to safeguard the country.
To a question about the European Union concern regarding lifting of moratorium on capital punishment, the President said, “It was their (EU) thinking and we would go by the law and Constitution of the land.”
“The teachings of Islam regarding punishments are deterrents,” the President added.
Regarding the execution of Shafqat Mahmood, the President said his execution has been postponed for 72 hours and efforts were ongoing to ascertain his actual age.
To a question about the execution of Saulat Mirza, the President said that his execution has also been postponed for 72 hours.
