News
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Terrorists cannot destabilise country
* PM visits PNS Mehran, orders security review of defence installations
* Says attack on Naval air base a point to ponder for nation
* Vows to bring culprits to justice
Staff Report
KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani asserted on Tuesday that terrorists by creating uncertainty and chaos wanted to destabilise the country but they would never succeed in their indiscriminate aims.
Talking to media upon his arrival at Pakistan Navy’s airbase PNS Mehran, which was attacked by a group of armed Taliban late on Sunday, the prime minister said that the terrorist attack on the naval facility in the business hub city was a point to ponder over for the entire nation.
Gilani, who landed at the naval facility in his special plane in the afternoon, directed the authorities concerned to revisit, improve and upgrade the security of all the defence installations. “There is a need to upgrade the security measures keeping in view the intentions of terrorists,” he said. “Whatever possible action is required should be taken as the government will extend all support in this behalf,” the premier affirmed.
The prime minister also vowed to bring the culprits to the justice as early as possible. He vehemently condemned the assault, and termed it a “cowardly act”.
Gilani, who was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, was briefed by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir about the “response operation” of security agencies against the terrorists.
The premier was informed that the objective of the operation was to protect the lives of other officials and defence assets. Bashir told him that the two terrorists, who had escaped from the base, were actually facilitators. “They had brought equipment and ammunition for their accomplices,” added the navy chief.
The prime minister told reporters that Defence Committee of the Cabinet would meet in Islamabad on Wednesday (today) to review overall security arrangements in the country. He said he would offer his comments in detail on the incident after the committee’s meeting.
The prime minister paid rich tributes to those 10 security personnel martyred while defending the national assets. He also inquired after those injured in the attack and met all of them one by one in the general and surgical wards and intensive care unit of the PNS Shifa.
He praised the valour of all the personnel of security agencies who eliminated the terrorists and protected the national assets, saying, “The nation is proud of its jawans.” He particularly praised the gallantry of Lt Yasir and others in countering the terrorist attack.
During his visit to the hospital, the prime minister was accompanied by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir. Later, the premier proceeded to Nawabshah.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk