Pakistani PM Cancels Switzerland Visit Following Terrorist Attacks

Islamabad, Jan 20, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has cancelled his visit to Switzerland in view of the recent terrorist attacks in the country, the PM office said. The Prime Minister was scheduled to leave for Switzerland to represent Pakistan at the meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos. Nawaz Sharif was planned to leave for Davos on January 21. The visit was cancelled following attack on a convoy of the security forces in the northwestern city of Bannu on Sunday which killed 20 security personnel and injured 30 others. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. “Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has decided to cancel his visit to Davos, Switzerland in wake of recent spike in terror incidents and Bannu tragedy,” a statement from the PM office said. “Our nation is united against extremism & terrorism and the sacrifices rendered by our citizens and personnel of law enforcing agencies will not go in vain”, said the Prime Minister. Earlier, the Prime Minister strongly condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in Bannu. Taliban increased attacks in recent days and the Sunday’s deadly attack has killed the chances for any peace talks./end