After attacks on minorities, Sharif vows security for all

Islamabad, Aug 1 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday expressed his resolve to make the country secure for every single citizen irrespective of ethnicity and religion, in the wake of frequent attacks on minority groups and days after two Hindu traders were shot in Sindh province.

Chairing a top-level meeting to review the current security situation at the PM House here, Sharif said, "The country has embarked upon a right track and we will enable every citizen to reap the benefits of a secure, stable and prosperous Pakistan."

Ever since the October 28, 2011, attack on a Protestant Church in Bahawalpur, Punjab, resulted in 16 persons killed -- to the sheer dismay of the Christian community in Pakistan -- over 2.9 million followers of seven different faiths and their places of worship have been targeted by terrorists.

On July 27, unidentified gunmen shot a Hindu man and injured another in Ghotki district of Sindh province amid communal tension following the arrest of a man from the minority community for allegedly desecrating pages of the holy Quran.

Sharif lauded the role of the law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and security in the country.

"Terrorists and extremists elements are receding from the country due to countless sacrifices rendered by our valiant LEAs, unflinching resolve of the entire nation and efforts of the federal and provincial governments."

Terming the extremist ideology a global threat, the Prime Minister said: "Pakistan has confronted the blow of terrorists for several years being the front-line state in war on terror."

"No other country has suffered to the extent Pakistan has been affected socially and economically while fighting the scourge of terrorism and extremism," he added.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaurdhy Nisar Ali Khan, National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua, Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt.Gen. Rizwan Akhtar, Intelligence Bureau Director General Aftab Sultan and other senior government officials.