Political & military leadership agree that federal & provincial govts would adopt a uniform strategy to eliminate terrorism
PESHAWAR, Feb 03 (SABAH): A meeting of the Apex Committee on Friday agreed that the federal and provincial governments would adopt a uniform strategy to eliminate terrorism and ordered an effective strategy to be prepared in this regard.
The meeting was convened in Peshawar in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in the city’s Police Lines Area that claimed the lives of 101 people, mostly policemen.
A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office at the conclusion of the meeting said that the participants reviewed recent terrorist incidents, particularly the Peshawar blast, in detail.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mehmood, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Governor KP Haji Ghulam Ali, Advisor to PM and PML-N KP President Engineer Ameer Muqam Khan, Minister for Religious Affairs Mufti Abdul Shakoor, KP’s Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Punjab’s Caretaker CM Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Illyas Khan, CM Gilgit-Baltistan Barrister Khalid Khursheed Khan, Awami National Party KP President Aimal Wali Khan, Qaumi Watan Party Chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Balochistan Awami Party Parliamentary party leader in National Assembly Mir Khalid Hussain Magsi, Chairman Public Accounts Committee Noor Alam Khan, SAPM Faisal Karim Kundi, SAPM Ambassador (retd) Muhammad Sadiq, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan, SAPM Syed Faha Hussain, chiefs of the civil and armed sensitive organizations, the police chiefs of all the provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and GB, chief secretaries of all provinces, federal secretary for interior affairs and National Coordinator NACTA. Representatives of state institutions also briefed the meeting on the overall security situation and operations against terrorists.
“The meeting also agreed to eliminate all sources of support for terrorists within the country and directed effective screening in this regard. The meeting also decided that zero-tolerance for all types and forms of terrorism would be the national motto. National consensus will ensure the implementation of these decisions,” the press release said.
The handout said that the meeting decided to immediately construct a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) headquarters in KP, in addition to a modern forensic laboratory. Furthermore, the statement said a Safe City Project would also be launched in the province.
On border management control and immigration system, the meeting considered the steps to be taken against terrorists regarding their investigation, prosecution and punishment.
“It was agreed that all the organs of the state must work in perfect harmony, cooperation for the eradication of terrorism. Legislation will be made as per the need in this regard,” the statement said.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Action Plan and suggestions for improving it in light of the current situation.
Additionally, the huddle gave “in-principle approval” to proposals regarding the upgradation, training and provision of arms, technology and other necessary equipment to the National Counter-Terrorism Authority, CTD and police.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Moazzam Jah Ansari briefed the meeting on the investigation and progress of the Peshawar suicide attack. He informed the participants that the method of the attacker’s arrival and the route by which he came were identified through video footage.
The participants assured the nation that the terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis would be “made a lesson [and] those who attack innocent Pakistanis will be punished in any case”.
The moot demonstrated a firm commitment to ensure the safety of life and property of the nation “at any cost”, the press release said, adding that the nation’s “hopes and trust will be fulfilled”.
The Apex Committee also paid tribute to law enforcement agencies and martyred security personnel for “showing unprecedented bravery and bravery against terrorism” and reiterated the resolve that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
The meeting appealed to all segments of society, particularly the media, to refrain from spreading baseless speculation and exhibit national responsibility towards treating terrorist incidents.
It also urged the scholarly and religious community to use their relevant forums to put an end to terrorism and raise public awareness about the impermissibility of such acts.
The meeting also hailed the prime minister for convening the All Parties Conference (APC) after the rise in terrorism, hoping that the political leadership would sit together at the table to end terrorism and would decide on steps through national consensus.
The body also appealed to religious scholars to play their role in eradicating terrorism. Ulema were urged to create awareness among the masses against such attacks which are “haram” [prohibited in Islam] and against the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
Those who shed the blood of innocents have nothing to do with Islam, the statement said.
The meeting also reviewed the possibility of revitalizing military courts and the proposal of reactivation of the courts would be deliberated at all parties conference (APC) called by the PM on Feb 7. The political administration vowed to stand by the armed forces through their struggle to eradicate terrorism.
The premier called for national unity by setting aside differences to tackle the menace of terrorism as the country recently witnessed one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital Peshawar amid new wave of terrorism sparked since November last.