Every Pakistani is grieved over this tragic incident:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the incident of terrorism in a school of Peshawar is the worst in the history of the world in which a number of persons including innocent children have lost their lives. He said that every Pakistani from Peshawar to Karachi is grieved over this tragic incident and those brutal murderers who killed innocent children should be awarded exemplary punishment. He said that this incident of terrorism is highly condemnable and 18 crore people of the country are shocked and grieved over this tragic incident.

The Chief Minister appealed to Imran Khan, Maulana Fazalur Rehman, Altaf Hussain, Asfandyar Wali, Mehmood Achakzai, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, Siraj-ul-Haq, leaders of all political and religious parties and civil society to be united for the sake of Pakistan. He said that personal prestige and differences should be set aside and become a rock wall beside Pak-Army for eliminating terrorism from the country.

He was talking to media representatives after Peshawar tragedy here today. Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Pak-Army, police and citizens have rendered numerous sacrifices against terrorism and more than 40 thousand Pakistanis including Army officers and jawans, police officers and constables and ordinary citizens have been martyred. He said that besides officers and jawans of Pak-Army, their children have also rendered sacrifices.

The Chief Minister has appealed to entire nation including political, religious and civil society leaders to unite for the sake of Pakistan by setting aside mutual differences. Shahbaz Sharif said that he has no words to express his sentiments over this tragic incident. He said that the entire nation is grieved and tearful and sympathizes with the bereaved families. He said that Punjab government and people of Punjab are standing with the heirs of martyred children and equally share their grief. He said that Punjab government has announced three days’ mourning over Peshawar tragedy and the national flag will fly at half mast. He said that collective “ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza” will be offered tomorrow.

Shahbaz Sharif said it has become very clear from today’s tragic incident that the entire nation will have to decide that terrorism and extremism is the number one enemy of the country and march forward collectively for its elimination and become united. He said that elimination of terrorism is the only way to put the Pakistan of Quaid and Iqbal on the road to progress and development and prosperity of the country is directly linked with it. He said that national solidarity and unity is much needed than ever before and after today’s heartrending and tragic incident, there is no room for differences.

The Chief Minister said that Pak-Army has faced terrorism bravely and Zarb-e-Azb operation against terrorism has yielded positive results. He said that the incident of terrorism in Peshawar school can be reaction of operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said that we have to adopt only one agenda of fighting against terrorism with unity for safeguarding the country.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he has conveyed the sentiments of Punjab government and people over this tragic incident telephonically to Governor and Chief Minister KPK and offered all possible cooperation. He said that we equally share the grief of bereaved families. He offered to KPK government every kind of cooperation including doctors, nurses and medicines. He said that the entire nation will have to be united in the war against terrorism and face the menace of terrorism with unity so that a peaceful and safe Pakistan could be given to the coming generations.

The Chief Minister said that we have to demonstrate unity by giving preference to national interest over political and personal interests and save the future of coming generation. Replying to a question, Shahbaz Sharif said that it is time to rise above politics and play our due role for elimination of terrorism and extremism from the country forever. Provincial Minister for Law Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman and spokesman Punjab government Zaeem Hussain Qadri were also present on the occasion.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has strongly condemned terrorist attack at a school on Warsak Road in Peshawar. He has expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of innocent children and other persons in this attack. Expressing sympathies and condolences with the bereaved families, the Chief Minister also prayed for the early recovery of injured children and teachers. He said that the attack on the school is highly condemnable. Shahbaz Sharif said that the attack on children in school is a cowardly act. He said that targeting children is worst example of brutality. He said that martyrdom of innocent children in the attack of terrorists at a school of Peshawar is not less than a national tragedy. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government equally shares the grief of bereaved families. He said that the beasts targeting children deserve exemplary punishment. He said that terrorists have displayed worst kind of brutality by targeting innocent children.