Islamabad : Pakistan’s top political and military leaders on Friday agreed to pursue a tough policy against the militant groups following the recent massacre of children in a Taliban attack on a school, reports IANs.
The attack on the Army Public School in the northwestern city of Peshawar killed more than 140 students and teachers Tuesday. The prime minister visited the military headquarters in Rawalpindi and chaired a high-level meeting on national security and strategy against the armed groups, Xinhua reported.
The meeting, attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and senior military officials discussed the current security situation in the country, officials said.
The meeting also focused on the ongoing major military operation in North Waziristan tribal region and the future course of action following the school attack, an official statement said. Official sources said the leaders discussed an amendment in the Army Act to put on trial in military courts civilians who are involved in attacks on the Pakistan Army or its installations. At the three-hour meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his key cabinet members were briefed on national security matters. Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar gave a detailed briefing on the security situation, the sources said. The meeting was held a day after General Sharif approved the execution of six “hardcore terrorists,” who were sentenced to death by military courts.
Christians will not celebrate Christmas this year: Pakistani Christians decided not to celebrate Christmas this year to express solidarity with the families of the victims of the deadly Peshawar school terror attack that killed 148 people, mostly children. “All minorities of the country strongly condemn terrorism in Peshawar. We have called off Christmas celebrations to express solidarity with the nation. Special prayers are arranged at all churches and temples in the country,” Federal minister and minority ministry Senator Kamran Michael said.
On December 25 the Christians in Pakistan will give a message of love and unity. No religion can permit terrorism against humanity and teachings of prophets are a beacon of light,” he said. The minorities are deeply grieved over the killing of innocent children and other persons in the Peshawar tragedy. There is a need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism and transform Pakistan into a welfare state,” Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sindhu said.
