Pakistan urges world for joint efforts to support terror victims

• PM Imran Khan and COAS Gen Bajwa pay tribute to victims of terrorism, their families  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership on Tuesday said it stands with the international community in efforts to eradicate terrorism, while stressing upon joint action to support the victims of terrorism.

In his message on ‘International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism’, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the global day is being observed to thank and honour Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies and armed forces who have rendered immense sacrifices to ensure the safety and security of their nation.

The day was marked for the first time in the world on August 21 to pay tribute to the victims of terrorism.

‘PAKISTAN’S ANTI-TERROR RESOLVE UNDETERRED’:

PM Khan said the government of Pakistan on its part had taken a number of measures to support victims of terrorism, including rehabilitation of temporarily dislocated persons, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and payment of monetary compensation to the victims and their families.

He said that the government of Pakistan and its people venerate and paid tribute to all those who have suffered immensely at the hand of terrorists.

“Pakistan has been one of the worst victims of terrorism, suffering thousands of casualties in this war, of both civilians and security personnel,” he said.

“We particularly hold in our thoughts and prayers the victims of a heartless and brutal attack on Peshawar Army Public School that resulted in the loss of more than 130 precious lives. The lives that were lost too early, which we will never forget,” he said.

Imran Khan said despite these losses, the country’s resolve to fight terrorism remained unwavering.

“In the face of every tragedy, the resilient Pakistani nation has shown that the values of enlightenment, compassion and empathy that bind us together, are much stronger than the forces of intolerance, hatred, and violence that aim to divide us,” he said.

‘WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TERROR’:

In a press release issued through the Twitter channel of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid tribute to victims of terrorism.

The press release stated, “We express solidarity with courageous families of victims of terrorism including security forces who fought valiantly against it. Our collective resolve shall defeat all inimical charges which tried to push us towards darkness but are failing in the face of our national resilience and determination. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its manifestations and extend full support to all the forces of order and peace to bring enduring peace.”

COAS pays tribute to victims of terrorism on ‘International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism’. “We strongly condemn terrorism in all its manifestations and extend full support to all the forces of order and peace to bring enduring peace”, COAS. pic.twitter.com/ma1vcydmwS

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) August 21, 2018