Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday vowed to eliminate the "cancer" of terrorism from society hours after militants struck in the Pakistani capital and the restive North West Frontier Province, killing 16 people and injuring more than 10.
"We are not afraid of terrorists. The government, the people and myself are all steadfast in our resolve to wipe out this cancer from society," he said in his address at a ceremony organised in the presidency to distribute cheques to beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme.
"Nations often face crises but strong nations confront these with courage and boldness. The people should have full faith that the present government has the ability and the means to confront these challenges," he said.
Zardari spoke hours after a suicide bomber struck at the office of the Anti-Terrorism Squad in the high-security Police Lines on the outskirts of Islamabad, injuring 10 policemen.
Militants also targeted a police van with a roadside bomb in a remote area of the NWFP, killing 16 people, including four school children, and injuring several others.
The president said the "Benazir doctrine" was aimed at bringing peace and security to the people of Pakistan. Slain former premier Benazir Bhutto returned to her homeland despite serious threats to her life as she was determined to work for the downtrodden and poor and bring true democracy to the country, he said.
{{/usCountry}}The president said the "Benazir doctrine" was aimed at bringing peace and security to the people of Pakistan. Slain former premier Benazir Bhutto returned to her homeland despite serious threats to her life as she was determined to work for the downtrodden and poor and bring true democracy to the country, he said.
{{/usCountry}}"We are not afraid of death as we believe that death is the guardian of life," he added.