... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
, during a speech delivered in the National Assembly on Monday, justified the government's decision to initiate a full-scale operation in North
Wazoo tribal region and said that the 'Zarb-e-Azb' operation would continue until terrorism is eliminated from the country.Sharif added that the government had tried patiently to pursue peace talks but It was unfortunate that after four and a half months of trying peace, dialogue could not be fruitful.
He further said that the world knew that "On one hand we were pursuing dialogue, and on the other we were being targeted.We were pursuing talks, but from Islamabad courts to Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
airport we were attacked."
Addressing the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the prime minister said "Our places of worship and mosques were targeted, our schools were targeted. We will change the fate of this country and under no circumstances will the country be allowed to serve as a safe haven for terrorists."
Sharif said that all important decisions were taken with mutual agreement between civilian and military leadership.
"Despite the sacrifices of our soldiers, we gave peace talks first priority but our efforts were rendered in vain, This operation will be the start of a peaceful beginning of the country," he added.
Following his speech in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Sharif proceeded to the Senate where he delivered a statement on the ongoing operation.
The full scale operation commenced in North Waziristan tribal region on Sunday, and the move was welcomed by most political parties including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM), Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is
Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI).
The Pak-Afghan border was also sealed off while the Afghan National Army was also requested to plug possible escape routes across the border.