PESHAWAR, Feb 3 (APP): The Apex Committee Friday expressed its determination to protect the life and property of the people at every cost and make an example out of the terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the important meeting of the Apex Committee held here at the Governor House.
The committee assured the nation that those who attacked innocent Pakistanis, would be punished and the government would come up to its expectations.
The meeting reviewed, in detail, the incidents of terrorism, particularly the suicide attack on the mosque in Police Lines Peshawar on January 30 and its aftermath.
The officials of the intelligence agencies briefed the participants about the overall security situation and the action taken against the terrorists.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Moazzam Jah Ansari updated the meeting about the ongoing investigation into the suicide attack.
He said they had identified with the help of the videos, the method and route, used by the attacker to enter the Police Lines.
The participants prayed for the elevation of ranks of martyrs in Jannah, grant of patience and fortitude to the bereaved families, and for early recovery of the injured.
While sympathizing with the affected families, the meeting assured that the blood of the martyrs would not go waste, and the government and the nation stood with the heirs of the martyred.
The participants saluted the armed forces, Pakistan Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, Counter-Terrorism Department, police and other law enforcement agencies for their unprecedented valour against terrorism and paid tribute to the officers and soldiers who were martyred in the terror incidents.
The Apex Committee reiterated the resolve not to squander the sacrifices of the martyrs and the successes achieved so far against terrorism.
The body appealed to the media to keep up its responsible behaviour while reporting on the issue of terrorism and not to become a part of spreading any speculations, particularly on social media as any such behaviour was against national security, solidarity, and unity.
The committee also reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan and also deliberated over the suggestions put forth for its improvement in accordance with contemporary needs.
The meeting also gave in-principle approval to the proposals for the upgradation of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), CTD, and police, and the provision of training, weapons, technology, and other necessary equipment to them.
It was decided that a CTD headquarters would be built immediately in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, besides establishing a forensic laboratory like the one in the Punjab province.
Moreover, on the pattern of Lahore and Islamabad, a safe city project would be initiated in KP, and the capacity building of the police and CTD would be carried out, besides providing them with the latest equipment.
The meeting reviewed the mechanisms of border management control and immigration, besides deliberating over the processes of investigations against terrorists, prosecution and their conviction.
It was decided that all the state organs would work in complete cohesion and coordination, and with utmost dedication for the elimination of terrorism and the achievement of collective national goals. Necessary legislation would also be carried out in that regard.
The Apex Committee principally agreed to adopt a single approach and strategy by the Center and the federating units for the elimination of terrorism, and directed to formulate an effective strategy for the purpose.
The meeting decided to plug in all the sources of support to the terrorists within the country and instructed to carry out an effective screening for the purpose.
The committee decided that zero tolerance for terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations would be the national objective and that all the said decisions would be implemented through a national consensus.