President, PM vow to go after foreign-backed terrorists

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have vowed to take strong action against foreign-backed terrorists and their facilitators until terrorism is completely eradicated from the country.

They expressed the resolve during a meeting at the President’s House late on Tuesday.

Both leaders strongly condemned the recent incidents of terrorism outside Islamabad district and sessions courts and in Wana Khyber Pakhtunkwa.

According to a post shared on Pakistan Television’s X account, the prime minister called on the president at the President’s House, where the two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing political and security situation.

Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to continue action against foreign-backed terrorists and their facilitators.

Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and federal ministers Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Khalid Hussain Magsi and Abdul Aleem Khan were also present in the meeting.

Earlier, at least 12 people were killed and 36 others injured after a suicide bomber targeted a police vehicle outside Islamabad’s G-11 district and sessions courts on Tuesday morning.

The explosion occurred near the main gate of the G-11 district and session courts.

At least seven injured — including four police personnel — were said to be in critical condition.

PIMS Hospital Executive Director Dr Imran Sikandar told HUM News English that an emergency had been declared at the hospital and treatment for the injured was under way.

He confirmed that 12 people had been killed and the number of injured had risen to 36. He said that of the 36 injured, 18 people were discharged after initial treatment while the rest of the injured were under treatment at the hospital. He said that all available resources were being used for the victims’ treatment.

Earlier, security sources said that all students, teachers and other staff trapped inside the Wana Cadet College were safely rescued.

Security officials said that the operation was still ongoing against the three militants hiding inside a block of the college building.

The operation was carried out against three militants holed up inside the college building. Around 650 people, including 525 cadets, were present on campus when the attack took place on November 10.