Choose between Pakistan and ‘Khawarij’, Pakistani PM tells Taliban

BANNU: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Afghanistan Taliban have been told to choose between Pakistan and the ‘Khawarij’ — a term used by security forces and the government for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The prime minister, accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Bannu, where they attended the funeral prayers of 12 soldiers martyred in the South Waziristan operation and paid tribute to their sacrifices.

Earlier, security forces killed at least 35 militants in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 12 soldiers of Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom.

They also visited injured soldiers at the Combined Military Hospital Bannu.

The prime minister and the field marshal later chaired a high-level meeting on counter-terrorism, where the Peshawar corps commander briefed them on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkwa.

The prime minister said that the fight against terrorism would continue with full force and there should be no ambiguity in this regard.

Security officials told the premier said the masterminds and facilitators of terrorists carrying out attacks in Pakistan were based in Afghanistan and were being backed by India.

The prime minister reiterated that Afghanistan has been told to make a clear choice between the Khawarij and Pakistan.

He said Afghan nationals were also involved in terrorism incidents after crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan to carry out attacks.

The early repatriation of Afghan citizens illegally residing in Pakistan is of “critical importance,” he stressed.

PM Sharif said that the Pakistani nation completely rejects politics and misleading narratives on the issue of terrorism.

“Anyone who facilitates or advocates for foreign elements and India’s terror proxies is their agent and will be responded to in the same language he deserves,” he warned.

He further said that the people of Pakistan, particularly those of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stand united like a “fortified wall” with the state and armed forces against India’s proxies.

“We will take all necessary administrative and legal measures immediately to deliver an even more effective response against terrorism,” he affirmed.