Nawaz Sharif’s Tough Talk Against Terrorism at WEF in Switzerland

Nawaz Sharif talks tough against terrorism at the World Economic Forum, 2016, in Davos, Switzerland.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a debate hosted by the Associated Press on 21 January 2016 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo: AP)

Recovering from a major terror attack back home, Pakistan on Thursday said its resolve to fight terrorism is getting stronger every day and it is taking decisive action against terrorists.

Takehiko Nakao, President of the Asian Development Bank, speaks as Pakistan’s PM Nawaz Sharif (left) and Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO of ICICI Bank (right) listen. (Photo: AP)

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government has taken very decisive action against terrorists.

<p>When I took over, terrorists were creating havoc all over the country. I called a meeting of all political parties. We discussed bordering areas near Afghanistan.</p>

<b>Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan</b>

Also read: TTP Spokesperson Denies Mansoor’s Claim of Bacha University Attack

<p>We deployed huge troops and started operations. So far, we have been able to destroy the infrastructure and destroy their network. It started reducing and terrorists are now on the run and are picking up soft targets like the one yesterday.</p>

<b>Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan</b>

Close to 30 people – students and staff – were killed in the attack on the Bacha Khan University on 20 January 2016.

Also read: In Pictures: Taliban Spills Innocent Blood in Pakistani Varsity

Staff members leaving the Bacha Khan University campus after the terrorist attack. (Photo: AP)

Terrorism in Pakistan

At least 20 people, mostly students, were massacred on Wednesday by Kalashnikov-wielding Taliban suicide attackers who stormed a prestigious university in restive northwestern Pakistan and opened fire.

Read The Quint’s blow-by-blow account of the attack on the Bacha Khan university in Pakistan

The Prime Minister also said that revival of the economy is very important for Pakistan.

<p>Pakistan has paid a very heavy price in terms of lives. There is a huge economic loss also. But our resolve to fight against terrorism is getting stronger every day.</p>

<b>Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan</b>

Sharif noted three major problems faced by Pakistan. According to him, these are economic problems, power shortage, and terrorism. He also claimed to have succeeded in solving all three.

<p>We inherited GDP growth of 3 percent and now we are 4.2 percent and we expect 5 percent this year. Unemployment is also decreasing very sharply.</p>

<b>Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan</b>

Noting that revenue is increasing, he said a very good turnaround is taking place in Pakistan. In that context, he also mentioned, and took pride in, the China-Pakistan corridor, which he believes the entire region of south Asian countries will benefit from.

(With agency inputs.)