Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the Bannu incident as alarming and said that the action against extremism, especially the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), should be strictly implemented.
On December 18, a hostage crisis erupted when TTP terrorists seized the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) compound in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The terrorists took several officials hostage.
However, security forces cleared the facility in a successful operation that killed 25 terrorists – three days after militants overpowered security guards at the centre.
Bilawal Bhutto while addressing the American think tank Atlantic Council said that Pakistan is serious in ending terrorism, he added that the security situation in the country is better than 2007.
Pakistan takes action against TTP in the region and Afghanistan should do the same, the foreign minister stressed. He further said that Pakistan has played a key role in establishing peace in the region.
“Action against extremists is necessary for the safety and security of the people,” Bilawal said, adding that peace is essential for economic stability in the country.
Bilawal Bhutto said that the protection of the people is the first priority of Pakistan. He also appreciated the efforts of America for peace and stability.
Pakistan relations
Moving towards Pakistan’s relations with other countries, the foreign minister said that efforts are being made to strengthen its bilateral relations. Bilawal said that we want better relations with America, Europe and other regions.
“Pakistan and the US can move forward together in various fields. There are opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, health and many other sectors,” he added.
The Flood
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader highlighted the situation in Pakistan during the record monsoon rains from June to September and said that the country’s biggest challenge is to deal with floods, possible future environmental disasters and victims. To help.
Bilawal said that our focus is on dealing with the disaster caused by floods.
The minister urged the international community to cooperate in the rehabilitation of the flood victims. “The international community should work together with Pakistan against climate change because different countries are affected by it,” Bilawal said, adding that the international conference on climate resilient Pakistan is expected to receive funds from partner countries. He also thanked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for his appeal for help to the flood victims.
“This conference is a start to tackle climate change. We are working on a strategy to tackle future challenges,” the foreign minister said.
He also expressed happiness over the withdrawal of Pakistan from the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
He further said that the present government is making economic reforms and concerted efforts to ensure food security in the country. Bilawal said that solving the problems is possible only with serious efforts and mutual cooperation.
