QUETTA: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the war against terrorism will continue in the country, explaining further that terrorists who had run away are now re-entering the country from its Western border to launch attacks.
Iqbal was speaking to the media after visiting the Bethel Memorial Church where at least nine people were killed and 50 injured in a terrorist attack on December 17.
Iqbal assured the Christian community that the federal and provincial governments stand with them in solidarity. “Every Pakistani should feel safe in the country,” he said.
Advising the country’s political parties to promote brotherhood and unity, the minister said this is not the time to pull each other’s legs.
“Dharnas will favour the terrorists who want to spread uncertainty in the country,” he said, adding that it is our duty to ensure peace and stability in Pakistan.
On Thursday, Iqbal said India is using Afghanistan to foment instability in Pakistan so it can make the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) unsuccessful, adding that convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav has accepted that India is pumping millions of dollars to ensure CPEC’s failure.
Iqbal said Pakistan’s competition is with India and other regional countries vis-à-vis development, saying that when our economy is strong, no country will look at Pakistan with ill intentions.
Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Mohammad Yousaf, who accompanied Iqbal on today’s visit, said the Dec 17 attack was highly condemnable.
“We came here to express solidarity with the victims of the attack. It is also our religious duty to condemn such attacks. These terrorists are enemies of humanity,” said the minister.
