Islamabad (Web Desk): Information Minster Ataullah Tarar on Wednesday said that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) will be formed for investigation into terrorist attack on Chinese engineers in Besham.
Addressing a press conference following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, the information minister said that the meeting recognised the importance of adopting a coordinated strategy to curb the menace of terrorism.
He said that a mechanism will be devised under this strategy to ensure greater coordination amongst the relevant stakeholders.
Tarar said that the meeting applauded the role of security forces in the war on terrorism.
He said the participants of the meeting were on the same page that no stone will be left unturned to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
“The whole nation is united in the war on terrorism, reaffirming that every possible step will be taken for the security of important installations, Chinese citizens and the Pakistani people,” the minister said.
The meeting was attended by the federal ministers, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir, the four provincial chief ministers as well as the chief secretaries and IGPs of the federating units.
“Anti-Pakistan elements want to hurt longstanding relationship between Pakistan and China but they will fail in their designs,” Tarar said, adding that this everlasting relationship will remain intact.
The information minister said China has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times. He said the country has always supported Pakistan's stance at the international forums.
“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is our lifeline and guarantor of economic development, the minister said, adding that Pakistan shares the grief and sorrow of the Chinese people at this hour of grief.
Responding to a question regarding security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar said there are standard operating procedures (SOPs) in this regard and all out steps are taken to ensure their implementation. However, following the yesterday's incident, we are identifying any loopholes in the SOPs or their implementation.
To another question, the minister said federal government is closely engaged with the provincial governments of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on security issue.
The information minister said that PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Balochistan chief minister to expedite working on Gwadar safe city project being funded by federal government and the Balchistan CM will visit Gwadar on Thursday.
He said Counter Terrorism force will be established in KP at the pattern of the state-of-the-art Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) force of Punjab.
