Civil, military leadership vows to take on terrorists

ISLAMABAD: The civil and military leadership has decided to go to any extent for the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to counter terrorism.
The plan, which was formed after the massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar in December last year, appeared to be on the backburner since weeks. Work on all fronts linked with the NAP is being speeded up as new benchmarks are being established for the purpose.
The decision was taken at a marathon meeting of the top leadership of the two sides here at the Prime Minister’s House. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting.The meeting was told that $2 billion had been spent on the Operation Zarb-e-Azb and anti-terror related activities since June last, i.e. 10 months. No foreign assistance had been forthcoming for the enormous cause.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who turned up to take part in the sensitive deliberations for the first time in three months, made a difference with his presence and input on the issues of agenda. The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, Chief of the General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, DG ISI Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, DG ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, DGMO Major General Aamer Riaz, DGMI Major General Sarfaraz Sattar, federal ministers Senator Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, SAPM on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Additional Secretary to the PM Fawad Hasan Fawad were in attendance.
Highly-placed sources having access to the closed-door meeting that lasted more than three hours told The News that the Operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue in all the areas affected by terrorism. The meeting was briefed on terror sponsoring by notorious Indian intelligence gathering outfit, RAW. The resolve was expressed that the law enforcing agencies with active cooperation of the people would foil the evil designs of RAW and for the purpose the counter terror network has been fully alerted. The interior ministry will submit a fresh proposal for the implementation of the NAP.
Chaudhry Nisar expressed dissatisfaction over the work for the execution of the plan, the sources said. The deteriorating morale of the police force also came under discussion as it has been a victim of various influential sections of the society, including lawyers, doctors and others, as it has to take on the terrorists, extremists and anti-social elements. The establishment of speedy courts under the military command also came under discussion as the apex court has issued an injunction against its operations. Work on seminaries’ reforms would also be taken up afresh and adequate funds would be provided for the purpose since syllabus and salary of their teachers would be brought at par with other modern educational institutions. Sophisticated weapons and instruments required for the job would be provided to the law enforcing agencies and intelligence gatherers.
The meeting also deliberated on Indian threats hurled at Pakistan. The government has decided that the issue would be raised with world capitals and international community forthwith. The Foreign Office has been assigned to draw a strategy to deal with it.
Pakistan will challenge the Indian approach on all available international fora since it violates international and national laws of a country. The Indians have exposed themselves through the statements of their ministers and established beyond a shadow of doubt that they are using terrorism as a tool of their policy. Pakistan will agitate the matter with world capitals with the message that it has been talking peace initiative and helping the world rid from the menace of terrorism but its neighbouring country is harbouring terror to scuttle its noble efforts. Pakistan will provide important capitals solid evidence pertaining to the Indian involvement in terror activities. Islamabad will also knock at the door of the United Nations and other world organisations for the purpose, the sources said. The meeting also discussed the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of tribal areas in the aftermath of the Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The schedule of the return of IDPs also came under discussion. The achievements in the operation and sacrifices rendered by the armed forces of the country were highlighted and eulogised by the leadership, the sources added.
The meeting also reviewed the progress on NAP and discussed measures for its more effective implementation.It was the first security related high-level meeting at the PM House in three months where Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was present and he was accorded due protocol since he was seated next to Prime Minister Nawaz, followed by Senator Ishaq Dar and Khawaja Asif.
Chaudhry Nisar had been in touch with the military leadership throughout as the interior minister he has to maintain his liaison with it. It was the second meeting on the subjects deliberated on the return of the prime minister from a foreign trip. The first took place on Monday (May 25) and it is likely that yet another meeting will be held next week on issues of national security, the sources said.