Waziristan is no more a hub of local and foreign terrorists.
“Prior to the operation, almost all terrorist attacks were traced to North Waziristan, but now as a large part of North Waziristan and Khyber agency had been cleared, this has resulted in 50 per cent drop in terrorist attacks throughout the country.”
He further said that Tehreek-e-Taliban has disintegrated into different splinter groups without any unified leadership, or command and control centre. “Terrorists are not only being hit in Fata, but more than 1,500 terrorists and their accomplices had been arrested, and their cells busted through intelligence-based operations across the country. As a result of Zarb-e-Azb large number of terrorists are being killed, some have escaped across the border, or have dislocated to other parts of the country which are being followed.” He said that eradication of terrorism is not only Army’s job, therefore, the civilian government must also come forward and play a more active role in this regard.
Renowned journalist and writer Zahid Hussain presented his views on the National Action Plan (NAP). He said that it is ill-drafted which makes it weak. “The plan does not include plan for sectarian and band outfits as well as ‘Madrassas’ reforms have not being dealt with. Consensus by diverse political parties, as we have been doing since long, means no policy,” he opined. He suggested blocking the sources of terrorist funding and a complete media blackout of terrorist and their sympathisers. Earlier, in his welcome address, Head of the Department International Relations, NDU, Dr Mohammad Khan emphasised the need of peace for socio-economic uplift of the people. He added that the dynamics of security as well as the nature of threats had changed in the contemporary world.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation’s representative Kristoff Duwearts spoke about the aim and purpose of the seminar. He also highlighted his foundation’s work in Pakistan for the larger purpose of education of democracy in Pakistan.
During the seminar, it was also emphasised that police, security services and other civilian institutions needed to be strengthened and that NAP should be implemented across the country.