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Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Rise above politics for country’s sake: NawazISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said he considered dialogue as the priority option to curb terrorism in the country and urged the political leadership to rise above politics and develop a national consensus for the sake of the country. Addressing the political leaders at the All-Parties Conference (APC), he said his party had always stressed serious efforts for dialogue in the previous APCs as well. Nawaz Sharif said the solution to the terrorism issue would be found with consensus after thorough deliberation by the participants. He said it was the need of the hour for all political forces in the country to shun politicking on issues of national importance such as terrorism and energy crisis, and join hands to address them unanimously. “We have to rise above politics on some issues and develop a national consensus for the sake of this country,” the prime minister told the political leaders. Nawaz said together, this would prove as the “best step” for the country and added that everybody needed to work on war footing in this regard. “If we rid this country of terrorism and extremism, we would become a strong nation of the 21st century,” he said. Nawaz said that he had directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to extend cooperation to provinces to ensure their better coordination with the federal government on security issues. The fight against militancy, he noted, had resulted into loss of lives of thousands of innocent civilians and troops. It has also caused a huge financial setback, as the businessmen are reluctant to invest in the country. On the law and order situation in Karachi, he expressed satisfaction that all major political parties, including Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), gave their consent for a targeted operation. Prime Minister Nawaz said it was a test for democracy to deliver results in the shape of peace and a strong economy. “If we continue to take decisions with consensus, the people will have more trust on democracy,” Nawaz Sharif said, adding that the country has witnessed unprecedented smooth democratic transition, as the new government has taken over and a president has left the Presidency with honour and prestige. Nawaz said the country’s economy has been destroyed in the war of terrorism and no foreign businessman is keen to invest in Pakistan due to terrorism. The prime minister said all the parties should be on the same page to tackle the issue and take decisions by consensus. He said the government will not do politics on the issues of terrorism, economy and energy crisis, and hoped other parties will also rise above the politics to confront these issues. ISI Director General Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam briefed the participants of the APC on security situation in the country. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk