Pakistan's army chief urges unity against terrorism threats

On March 18, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Asim Munir called for unity to fight terrorism in Pakistan. He spoke at a Parliamentary Committee on National Security meeting, urging a stronger government to tackle the issue. Munir emphasized the need for a united approach, stating that the country's security is vital. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif attended the meeting and echoed these sentiments. He highlighted the bravery of the Armed Forces and law enforcement, stating that all 250 million Pakistanis support them. Sharif also shared a declaration from the committee, affirming the nation's commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms. The meeting addressed recent violent attacks, including a suicide bombing in Nowshera on February 28 that killed six people. Another assault on March 12 involved the hijacking of Jaffar Express, leading to 25 deaths. The turmoil continued with a suicide bombing in Balochistan, as well as the injury and subsequent death of religious leader Mufti Munir Shakir from an IED explosion. These incidents are part of a worrying trend, with reports indicating 68 attacks against police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year alone. The regional government has decided to allocate funds to strengthen the police force, aiming to improve security measures in response to the rising threat of violence.