ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said terrorism had been curtailed to a large extent in 2018 as compared to five years back, and the people were now seeing peace had come to Pakistan.
While addressing the passing out parade of second batch of Counter-Terrorism Force (CTF) at Islamabad Police Line Headquarters, Ahsan Iqbal said the successful operation of security forces had weakened networks of terrorists who were on the run now.
“We made the National Action Plan (NAP) and launched a full-fledged operation against terrorists in the Country which will continue till complete annihilation of terrorists and extremists,” he said.
The minister lauded the role of nation, Pakistan’s armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in war against terrorism, and said besides, sacrificing thousands of precious lives, the Country’s economy also suffered big loss.
“Peace is very much important for development as is oxygen necessary for human life,” he said, adding the societies having instability and insurgency could not meet the pace of progress.”
The second batch of CTF consists of 291 personnel including 230 males, 23 females and 38 drivers. The first batch consisting 380 personnel of CTF also became operational in Capital few months back.
Congratulating the CTF on completion of its training, Ahsan Iqbal said he was pleased that women had also become part of the force. Women, he added, were also playing an active role in fighting against terrorism.
Ahsan Iqbal said the CTF would increase the specializations, skills and professionalism of the police. The police acted as a frontline force against terrorism, he added.
The interior minister said police were not only doing their own duty but also playing a vital role in the Country’s development. He said it were the police, who performed their duty day and night so that citizens could sleep without any fear.
The minister said an anti-riot police force had also been formed to ensure law and order in Islamabad for which allocation had been made in the next year budget.
Ahsan Iqbal was of the view that it was an age of innovation where changes took place frequently, and “we need to develop ourselves as per requirements of the world because nature of today’s challenges is global and challenges have no boundaries.”
On the occasion, Rescue-15 modern squad was also launched.
