Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again urged the Afghan government to take decisive action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which continues to carry out terrorist activities from across the Afghan border. He emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and constitute a “red line” for Pakistan.
During the opening remarks at a cabinet meeting on Friday, the Prime Minister said: “The TTP is operating from Afghanistan and conducting attacks that kill innocent Pakistanis. This cannot continue. We have made it clear to the Afghan government that while we seek good relations, the TTP must be stopped from killing our people.”
“This is a red line. The TTP’s operations from Afghanistan against Pakistan are unacceptable,” he added.
The Prime Minister highlighted the shared border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, extending over thousands of kilometers, and reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peaceful and cooperative relations in trade, economy, and other sectors. However, he stressed that negotiations with Afghanistan and allowing the TTP to operate against Pakistan cannot go hand in hand.
Shehbaz Sharif assured that Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies remain on high alert to ensure the nation’s security. He referred to the recent martyrdom of 16 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and the elimination of several terrorists in North Waziristan, which also saw the loss of an army major.
Reflecting on the 17th anniversary of Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister, praising her political wisdom, courage, and contributions to democracy in Pakistan. He highlighted her role as the first female prime minister of the Islamic world and her efforts in fostering political unity, such as the signing of the Charter of Democracy with Nawaz Sharif.
Regarding the ongoing shortage of medicines in Parachinar, PM Shehbaz announced that the federal government had airlifted 1,000 kilograms of medicines and transported patients to Islamabad for treatment.
The Prime Minister also updated the cabinet on his recent conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, offering condolences over the tragic plane crash that killed 38 people and injured 24. He expressed optimism for strengthening Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties in the future.
On the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, PM Shehbaz assured the cabinet that all arrangements were in place for the event and expressed confidence that Pakistan would host high-quality cricket for its people.
In financial matters, the Prime Minister shared details of an agreement with banks under the Asset Declaration Regime (ADR), which is expected to contribute Rs 70 billion to the national exchequer in the first year, with Rs 240 billion expected over the next three years.
PM Orders Uninterrupted Gas Supply During Winter
During a meeting in Islamabad to review the country’s gas supply situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to implement reforms to permanently address the ongoing gas shortages. He reiterated that ensuring a steady gas supply to domestic consumers is a top priority for the government.
The meeting revealed that there was a surplus of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG), leading to improved gas load management compared to the previous year. Gas load shedding has been reduced, with supply to domestic consumers from 5 AM to 10 PM. The power sector’s gas demand is also being met as per requirements.
Furthermore, it was reported that online complaint dashboards for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) were operational, with SNGPL’s complaint resolution rate at 93% and SSGC’s at 79%.
All gas fields in the country are currently active, ensuring that the gas supply system remains stable during winter. The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahmad Khan Cheema and Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik.
