TEXT OF PRIME MINISTER’S ADDRESS TO NATION 25-12-2014
"My dear countrymen
Assalam-o-Alaikum
I am addressing you on such an occasion when Peshawar's tragic incident shook the
whole nation.
The bloody act of terrorists has badly hit the hearts of 180 million people of Pakistan.
Today, everyone is shedding tears and every Pakistani is in state of sorrow.
The children becoming the victim of terrorism left their homes to seek knowledge but
they were given bloodbath. These children were our asset and the future of Pakistan. I do
not know how many dreams they had seen for them. How many desires and hopes their
parents had pinned at them.
Being a father, I strongly feel how the parents pray for the security of their children with
each of their breath.
They would not have even imagined that one day they will shoulder their coffin.
By targeting the children, the terrorists have stabbed our future.
Khaula was my daughter who went to undertake her admission test but did not return
alive. Uzaifa was also my son, who left for his matriculation class but his mother is still
looking his way.
The hue and cry of the mothers of all martyred flowers is still echoing in my ears. We will
not let squander the blood of our children. Terrorists will have to account for each and every
drop of blood and that too very soon.
I assure the sad but determined parents of the martyred children that they were not
alone rather the whole world was sharing their grief.
But I assure that Insha Allah we will avenge the blood of our children. We will rest only
after paying this debt back.
Respected countrymen,
You know that since coming into power, the government took the issue of terrorism very
seriously. After futility of the dialogue, the decision was made to launch operation Zarb-eAzb in June 2014. Operation Zarb-e-Azb badly hit the terrorists who started barbaric acts
and targeted the innocent children and citizens.
But they must know that we have made resolve to root out the menace of terrorism.
Pakistan of post-Peshawar tragedy is changed one that has no room for terrorism,
extremism, sectarianism and intolerance.
Not only the terrorism, but we will also eliminate the terrorist mindset.
Realizing the severity of the situation, I consulted with the leadership of all political
parties and formulated a comprehensive action plan the few points of which I will present to
you.
I got free from this meeting a little earlier that lasted for 10 hours.
1. After Peshawar tragedy, the government decided to implement the death sentence
of those convicted in cases of terrorism and the implement has been started.
2. Due to some legal loopholes, the terrorists involved in serious offenses continued to
evade the sentence. Therefore, the special trial courts under the supervision of army
officers are being established so that the criminals could meet their fate without any
delay. The duration of these courts would be two years.
3. Militant outfits and armed gangs will not be allowed to operate in the country.
4. NACTA, the anti-terrorism institution will be strengthened.
5. Decision has been made to take strict action against the literature, newspapers and
magazines promoting hatred, decapitation, extremism, sectarianism and intolerance.
6. All funding sources of terrorists and terrorist outfits will be frozen.
7. The defunct outfits will not be allowed to operate under any other name.
8. Decision has been made to establish special anti-terrorism force.
9. End to religious extremism and protection of minorities will be ensured.
10. Arrangements are being made for registration and regulation of religious seminaries.
11. The promotion of terrorists and their ideology on both print and electronic media will
be banned completely.
12. Administrative and developmental reforms will be brought in FATA for repatriation of
internally displaced persons as first priority.
13. The communication network of terrorists will be dismantled completely.
14. Urgent measures are being taken to discourage promotion of terrorism through
internet and social media.
15. No room will be left for the extremism in any part of the country.
16. Ongoing operation in Karachi will be taken to its logical end.
17. Balochistan government is being fully empowered by all stakeholders as part of
larger political reconciliation.
18. Decisive action is being taken against the elements spreading sectarianism.
19. Besides the first phase of their registration, a comprehensive policy is being
formulated for the Afghan refugees.
20. Process of bringing basic reforms in criminal courts system will be expedited to
provide the provincial intelligence agencies access to the communication network of the
terrorists and strengthen the anti-terrorism institutions. To implement this strategy,
constitutional amendment and necessary legislation is also being made. The courts, I talked
about earlier, to be headed by army officers, will also required constitutional amendment for
which a consensus among all participants has been evolved.
Inshallah, it was a historic day. By grace of Allah, tomorrow's Pakistan will be very
peaceful where our future generations will live a peaceful life. And I feel, a debt, we owed for
long, is being paid back now. And Alhamdulillah, Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan is being
developed on the lines as was envisaged by Allama Iqbal and practised by Quaid-e-Azam.
We are going to get this honour.
I do not solely claim its credit rather it also goes to the whole political leadership
including the military leadership that played a key role. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel
Shareef also deserves felicitation.
I am determined not to let our territory used for terrorism. I expect that no other country
will also allow its territory be used for terrorism inside Pakistan. Peace is our asset and all of
us will protect it.
Respected countrymen,
Being a father, I can understand how heavy these little coffins were for the shoulders of
the parents.
I am conveying to the terrorists the decision of the nation that their days are numbered.
Here, there is no safe haven for those attacking our future by targeting our children.
Pakistan's territory has been narrowed down to you. You will be given a befitting response
for the pain you gave to the Pakistani nation by shedding the blood of innocent children.
By their sacred blood, our children have drawn a line putting the coward terrorists on one
side and the Pakistani nation on the other.
Leading the war against terrorism as the Prime Minister is my responsibility and I will
fulfill this responsibility at any cost.
Long Live Pakistan"