ISLAMABAD/ QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday stated that there is solid evidence of a nexus between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP.
Chairing a meeting of the Qaumi Paigham-e-Aman Committee (QPAC) here, the prime minister said that the menace of terrorism is resurfacing, and it will be crushed as it was in 2018. He asserted that terrorists would be picked up from Pakistan’s borders and drowned in the Indian Ocean, Geo News reported.
He reaffirmed the government’s firm resolve to defeat terrorism through a unified national effort, stressing that peace, stability and prosperity remained the country’s core objectives.
He said the QPAC would play a pivotal role in strengthening the national narrative against extremism and terrorism, similar to the historic role played by Ulema in the creation of Pakistan.
He recalled that Pakistan was created to implement the principles of peace, justice and tolerance, adding that the country was now steadily moving towards prosperity and stability.
The prime minister said Allah Almighty had blessed Pakistan with vast natural resources worth trillions of dollars, which, if explored effectively, could help overcome challenges such as poverty, unemployment and debts.
“This task is difficult but not impossible,” he remarked, emphasising the need for collective resolve. He said Pakistan had demonstrated its strength in May 2025 during Marka-e-Haq when it decisively defeated India, saying that this happened due to the blessings of Allah Almighty and the professional capabilities of the armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir.
He said Pakistan was now on a fast track towards development, but terrorism remained the most serious challenge.
The prime minister stated that over 100,000 Pakistanis had embraced martyrdom in the war against terrorism.
He said the international community should acknowledge Pakistan’s immense sacrifices, adding that the country possessed solid evidences of external support being extended to the terrorist elements in Pakistan.
He expressed the confidence that Pakistan would once again defeat terrorism.
He also underscored the positive role of minorities in national development and called for interfaith harmony to ensure lasting peace.
Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said the national narrative to discourage terrorism and promote peace and stability would be further strengthened.
He said committee members would visit different parts of the country to convey a message of peace and counter hate-based narratives.
He also said that a two-day conference would be organised in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing together Ulema from all schools of thought to promote peace and discourage terrorism.
Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman and QPAC Coordinator Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said committee members would visit terrorism-affected areas, interact with local communities, religious scholars and the armed forces, and serve as frontline ambassadors of peace.
Participants of the meeting, including Ulema from various schools of thought and representatives of minority communities, expressed full support for the government’s initiative.
They unanimously declared terrorists and Khawarij as enemies of the state and stressed the need to counter anti-state narratives, particularly by positively engaging and guiding the youth.
They said the QPAC symbolised national unity and would play a critical role in fostering peace, harmony and stability across the country.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at the CM Secretariat on Friday evening, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that 12 terrorists were killed during a security operation against militants involved in bank robberies in Kharan, while a colonel and a major of the security forces were injured during the operation.
Bugti said that around 20 terrorists had entered Kharan city from different routes a day earlier with the intention of looting banks. He said the security forces, under the leadership of Colonel Wadan, took timely action and successfully foiled the robbery attempt.
During the operation, Colonel Wadan and Major Asim sustained injuries, while 12 terrorists were neutralised, the chief minister said. He paid tribute to the “brave sons of the security forces,” stating that the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army and security personnel were highly valued.
The CM said that Baloch youth were being exploited through propaganda, but the people of Kharan rejected the terrorists and effectively closed what he described as their “social support chapter.” He disclosed that the terrorists managed to flee with Rs3.4 million from the National Bank of Pakistan.
He said a clearance operation was still underway in Kharan. He added that 900 terrorists were killed across Balochistan last year, emphasising that the state had opened its doors for militants willing to surrender. “For 30 years, their actions were portrayed as a struggle for rights,” he remarked.
Referring to development work, the chief minister said the Bolan National Highway was being closed at night due to ongoing construction activities.
He also announced that Rs3 billion would be spent to provide fiber-optic internet to all government schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals across Balochistan. Additionally, he said that appointments in the province were being made strictly on merit, and an online testing system was being introduced to ensure transparency.
According to Geo News, the Balochistan chief minister expressed concerns over internet towers in sparsely populated areas of the province, saying such tools could be misused against the state.
Bugti said that he was surprised that places like Sangan, where there was barely any population, had internet towers.
“When I fly over in a helicopter, 4G services are running there. Who put them up, and why?” he asked, warning that militants could use them against the state and law enforcement.
Meanwhilel, according to an Inter Services Public Relations statement, on January 15, 2026, approximately 15 to 20 Indian-sponsored terrorists of Fitna Al Hindustan carried out multiple terrorist activities in Kharan City, District Kharan. Wherein, terrorists attacked City Police Station, National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited. During the activity, Rs3.4 million were looted from the banks by terrorists.
Security Forces effectively responded and engaged the terrorists, prompting them to retreat. During the ensuing clearance operation, 12 terrorists were sent to hell in three different engagements. Terrorists’ design to create a hostage situation at the police station was also effectively thwarted.
Sanitisation operation continues in the surroundings to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists. A relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Shehbaz revived and extended the Prime Minister’s Health Card programme to Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to provide quality healthcare as a fundamental right to every citizen, regardless of social or economic status.
Addressing the launch ceremony, attended by federal minister for health, Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister, federal ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials including secretary health and the AJK chief secretary, the prime minister said the initiative marked another major step towards delivering healthcare facilities at people’s doorsteps.
He recalled that the health card scheme was first introduced in 2016 under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and later expanded rapidly across provinces. He said there was nothing more valuable in life than health.
“If there is health, there is education; if there is health, there is dignified employment; if there is health, there is progress in every field of life,” he remarked. He said affluent segments of society could afford expensive treatment anywhere in the world, but the true test of the state lay in protecting the poor, widows, orphans and daily wage earners who struggle to make ends meet.
“If a labourer falls ill and leaves this world without treatment, his children are left in permanent darkness. Healthcare is the right of every Pakistani whether prime minister or street vendor,” he said.
The prime minister congratulated Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, secretary health and their entire team on the launch, urging them to ensure transparent implementation through third-party monitoring so that treatment is provided at the right facilities and with the right standards.
He expressed confidence that honest execution of the programme would not only serve the people but also earn reward in both this world and the hereafter.
Expressing hope that the scheme would be implemented swiftly and effectively, he said the programme would be personally monitored through visits and inspections in collaboration with Islamabad’s health leadership, parliamentarians, the CB chief minister and AJK prime minister.
Responding to a demand for extending the programme to Sindh, he said that the proposal was valid and assured that he would personally take up the matter with the Sindh chief minister.
He noted that the programme was already progressing rapidly in Punjab, with billions of rupees being spent on healthcare, and congratulated the Punjab government on its efforts.
He added that while other provinces had their own health initiatives, efforts would be made to ensure similar facilities were made available nationwide.
The prime minister expressed the hope that the health card programme would gain momentum across the country, bringing relief to millions of families.
“May Allah help us in serving the people,” he said, ending with prayers for the success of the initiative and the prosperity of Pakistan.
Earlier, the federal minister for national health services, regulations and coordination said that the revival of the PM’s Health Card would provide free, cashless healthcare to nearly 10 million residents of Islamabad Capital Territory, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said the programme ensures that citizens will receive treatment without worrying about affordability at moments of pain and distress.
The minister said that within four to five weeks, a programme that had become inactive was fully revived, terming it a major administrative achievement.
He stressed that healthcare should not be limited to treating illness alone.
“Healthcare means preventing people from becoming patients ensuring safe childbirth, vaccinating children, providing clean drinking water and strengthening preventive care,” he said.
Sharing operational details, Kamal said that around 70 hospitals were being empanelled under the programme across Islamabad, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, including 20 additional hospitals in the federal capital alone.
He added that cardholders from these regions living in Karachi would also be able to access treatment at 16 designated hospitals in the city.
He noted that Sindh remains the only province where the Prime Minister’s Health Card is not yet operational, while Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and the federal territories are already covered.
Referring to proposals discussed earlier, he said a plan covering 10 rural and urban districts of Sindh at an estimated cost of Rs24 billion had been prepared.
“If funding is provided for just two years, the programme can become self-sustaining from the third year onward,” he said, expressing hope that healthcare deprivation in Sindh could also be addressed.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz said he was deeply concerned by the news that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was admitted in hospital for medical tests.
In a post on X, he said, “Deeply concerned by the news that Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is admitted in hospital for medical tests.
“The people of Pakistan hold His Majesty in the highest esteem. We join our Saudi brothers and sisters in praying for His Majesty’s swift and complete recovery to full health, vitality, and continued leadership.”
