ISLAMABAD: The National Apex Committee comprising the country’s top military and political leadership on Friday sought a national consensus to root out militancy as Pakistan faces a fresh wave of terrorism.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the incidents of terrorism in the country, especially the incidents of terrorism on the Peshawar Police Lines Mosque and Karachi Police on January 30, were reviewed in detail. Chief Office on February 19.
The committee was formed after the Army Public School (APS) attack in 2015 to monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism.
“Representatives of intelligence agencies briefed the participants on the overall security situation in the country and operations against terrorists,” the statement said. The statement said that it was the unanimous agreement of all participants that Pakistan could not afford internal instability.
“National unity and collective struggle are the need of the hour,” he said, adding that building national consensus was of utmost importance to achieve these goals.
It may be mentioned here that the meeting took place after the visit of Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum to Kabul in which the activities of militants including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks were discussed. The increase was discussed. .
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Provincial Chief Ministers, Chief Executive of Gilgit-Baltistan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Federal Ministers, all Chief Secretaries of Federation and Provinces, Inspector Generals of Police participated in the meeting. Islamabad and the heads of all provinces, intelligence agencies and the army, as well as the national coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority.
Review of NAP decisions
During the meeting, the participants reviewed the progress on the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and the decisions taken at the previous meeting following the deadly suicide attack in Peshawar earlier this month.
At the last meeting, it was agreed to upgrade and train the government’s security agencies, including the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NECTA), Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the police, as well as equipping them with weapons, technology and other equipment. In-principle approval was given for the provision. Meeting, statement read.
It was also decided that the headquarters of the CTD would be set up immediately in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while a forensic laboratory – like in Punjab – would also be set up in the province.
In today’s meeting, Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar briefed the members on the progress on the measures taken to make the investigation, prosecution and punishment of terrorists more effective.
“The participants of the meeting agreed that the elimination of terrorism, economic recovery and stability are interlinked,” the statement said.
Role of media
During the meeting, the participants also deliberated on the role of media – especially social media – during terrorist incidents and subsequent operations by security forces, the statement said.
He expressed concern that the media broadcast information during the operation that could benefit terrorists and their facilitators. Consequently, such stories can negatively impact ongoing operations and have a “lethal effect” on soldiers involved in those operations.
“It was suggested that [authorities] should be guided by the SOPs and regulations prevailing worldwide on cyberspace and terrorism,” the statement said.
According to the proposal, authorities will consult with media houses and relevant stakeholders, the statement said, to ensure avoidance of rumors and speculations in emergency situations.
The statement also said that the SOPs will help the security forces carry out their activities without any hindrance and ensure that people are not scared due to speculations or rumour-based news.
“The meeting also decided to appoint a focal person to provide facts to the media and public in emergency situations.”
‘Incomparable Courage’
Sindh Inspector General of Police (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon informed the members of the committee about the attack on Karachi Police Chief’s office and the facts that have emerged so far.
The participants of the meeting praised various law enforcement agencies including Pakistan Army, Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC), Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Police for “showing unprecedented courage and bravery against terrorism across the country”. He also paid tribute to the institutions.
Meanwhile, a major issue during the meeting was non-availability of funds for the Karachi Police, which had already been approved.
To remedy the problem, the statement said: “The authorities concerned are directed to remove all obstacles to the completion of projects related to Karachi Police, CTD, and security without delay.”
During the meeting, the government also promised to provide “full cooperation and assistance” to the provinces in carrying out their responsibilities to maintain law and order.
Very reprehensible
The meeting also holds significance as the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is organizing its “Jeel Bharu Tehreek (Court Arrest Movement)” across the country – calling on law enforcement agencies to Attention is also required.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz criticized the PTI – though without naming it – for continuing to destabilize the country during these difficult times, saying: “Unfortunately, there is still a section of society that lives on the streets. But wants to get the job done.”
He said that the PTI – which was then in power in KP – had refused to attend the NAP meeting after the attack on APS, adding that the government had taken all the stakes after the Peshawar attack. Holders were invited to the Apex Committee meeting, but a “special party” did not bother to attend the meeting.
“They still want to solve this issue on the streets which was very reprehensible,” he remarked.
He said that although the government was forced to accept the strict conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the state of Pakistan is above all. Even the coalition parties of the government stake their political interests for the sake of the country and to improve the economic situation.
He said that the cooperation of friendly countries is not less than the blessing of Allah, but the first priority should be to fix your own house, otherwise no one will come to help.
The prime minister added that when it comes to “national interests”, no one’s ego can be uppermost.
