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War
against Taliban to go on
By: Haq Nawaz
President
Asif Ali Zardari addressing the nation. — APP
.
ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari announced establishment of
Cantonment in the militancy-hit Swat Valley to ensure durable peace
in the region. He also announced financial incentives for the
Pakistan Army troops currently fighting against the miscreants.
In his five-minute brief address to the nation telecast late Friday
night, the President vowed to take on Taliban, who he said, ‘are
cruel terrorists having nothing to do with Islam.’
“I salute the brave jawans of Pakistan Army, who are sacrificing
their lives to crush the militants and are fighting the war of the
very existence of Pakistan,” he said while commending the role of
security forces.
He said the courageous soldiers of Pakistan Army would be awarded
with a raise equal to their one month’s salaries. The soldiers, who
are in the battlefield, would get the raise immediately and the
remaining would get it from January 01, 2010.
He also assured all other government employees to get increase in
their salaries soon. He said he is seriously considering the
recommendations of the Pay Commission.
Coming hard on the Taliban, he said, “I don’t consider them genuine
Taliban (seekers of knowledge) as they are the enemies of knowledge.
They are stopping our children from going to schools, blasting
education institutions, and slaughtering the innocent people.
“The military operation against Taliban in different parts of the
country is being fully backed by the whole nation, the Parliament
and the political leadership. The people have seen their real face
and have turned against them. “They (Taliban) are creating panic and
spreading terror in a move to take control of state institutions but
with the overwhelming support of people, the security forces are
foiling their attempts,” he said.
The Nation:
June 13, 2009 |
