Operation Zarb-i-Azb requires national unity: PM Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Under the supervision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) met on Thursday to discuss the ongoing military operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' and the Lahore Model Town episode. The prime minister said that operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' requires national unity and added, "A peaceful environment in the country would benefit the soldiers fighting in the North Waziristan tribal area." He expressed confidence that militants would lose this war and added that the internally displaced persons from North Waziristan would be provided with every facility in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Meanwhile Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s briefing on the Lahore Model Town tragedy also came under discussion. The chief minister instructed the attendees not to compromise on justice. During the meeting, it was expected that the names of those responsible for carrying out orders to open fire at the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) supporters would be disclosed, but no such details emerged. However, the PML-N leadership collectively condemned the episode that resulted in the death of PAT supporters. Chief Minister Shahbaz said the provincial government would investigate the incident and those responsible for it would be brought to justice.