State alone has right to use armed power: Kakar

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday warned terrorist groups in the country to make an “unconditional surrender”, saying the state would not negotiate with them.

“The state will not show any leniency towards the terrorists who committed violence and killed innocent citizens,” he said in an interaction with the families of martyrs here at the Interior Ministry, where he earlier launched the country’s new visa policy.

Kakar categorically said that no person would be allowed to take the law into his hands, adding that only the state had the legitimate right to use armed power through its security forces.

“No one should have any doubt about the stance of the state against terrorists,” he said. “All organs of the state have the clarity to remain persistent against militancy.”

He said any damage incurred in the past by giving a lenient space to the militants would be mitigated.

The caretaker prime minister said if someone wanted to denounce terrorism he must seek forgiveness from the families of the martyrs, who had paid the ultimate price. “We cannot compensate those who lost their loved ones, but can make a gesture to acknowledge and honour their invaluable sacrifices,” he added. He said the reward for the martyrs’ souls rested with Allah Almighty, however, it was the responsibility of the society to honour them with a distinguished status.

“I pay tribute to all the martyrs - an unending list of heroes from all segments of the society, including police, politicians, journalists, soldiers, and even children,” he said.

Earlier, at the launch of the new visa policy, Kakar congratulated the Ministry of Interior on the achievement of a “good milestone”.

He said the country needed to further rationalise its visa policy with the target of attracting investment. “Unless we open up to the world, we cannot attract investment and develop connectivity,” he said, adding that a country’s visa policy was the cornerstone of its economic roadmap.

He was briefed that the new visa policy includes the introduction of investor visas and the revision of the existing business visa category. The investor visa has been introduced in line with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) initiative.

The hassle-free process allows visa approval within 24 hours with a short-term (1-3 years) and long-term entry visa (5 years).

The process requires minimal documentation with the option of converting the entry business and investor visa into a long-term investor visa. The interim prime minister was informed that the business visa category was revised with the introduction of SIFC Business Entry and its extension.

The business visa will be issued in 24 hours for a six-month short-term entry visa and a five-year long-term visa. The National and Database Registration Authority (Nadra) is managing the visa process and has also deployed its staff at the SIFC.

Kakar inaugurated a memorial gallery where the pictures of martyrs were put on display. He mounted on the wall a photograph of Additional Inspector General of Police Safwat Ghayur who was martyred by the terrorists.

He also visited the social media cell where he was given a briefing about its functioning. Earlier, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti received Kakar on his arrival at the Ministry of Interior.

A contingent of the Islamabad Police presented a salute and guard of honour to the caretaker prime minister. The family members of the martyrs, including veteran politician Mian Iftikhar Hussain, whose son was martyred by the terrorists, expressed gratitude to the caretaker government for recognising the sacrifices of the martyred heroes.

Our correspondent adds: Meanwhile, during a meeting with industrialists and businessmen of Karachi, the interim PM directed the authorities concerned to introduce competitive electricity rates for industries to benefit the common man.

He also directed the caretaker ministers of finance and energy to prepare an action plan in consultation with the industrialists regarding gas prices for industries.

He acknowledged the crucial role of industrialists and the business community in the country’s progress and prosperity and assured them that the caretaker government was taking every possible step for the promotion of industry and trade.

The meeting is part of Kakar’s consultations with industrialists and traders initiated during his Karachi visit, the PM media wing in a statement said.

The caretaker PM said his government was taking steps to increase the tax net, but the role of the business community is crucial in this regard and urged them to support the interim government’s steps.

He further said that the caretaker government was working on the agenda of institutional reforms for the welfare of the people and the recovery of the economy.

The delegation of the business community expressed satisfaction over the measures taken to prevent smuggling, electricity theft, and the restoration of the economy.

The delegation includes Businessmen Group Chairman Zubeir Motiwala, Industrial Forum Chief Coordinator Muhammad Javed Bilwani, Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry Patron-in-Chief Masood Ismail, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association former chairman Saleem Parekh and North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry President Faisal Moez.

Meanwhile, Kakar directed to ensure uninterrupted supply of urea fertiliser to farmers at government-subsidised rates.

He gave these instructions while chairing a meeting here. He said the district administration should take immediate action against hoarders of fertiliser and identify those responsible for hoarding, adding that such elements should be given exemplary punishment.

He said the subsidies on urea should reach farmers, who deserve this in real sense and instructed to evolve a strategy to ensure uninterrupted supply of urea on priority basis.

However, the interim PM said that the burden of urea subsidy should be borne by each province according to its consumption.

He emphasised strict vigilance on the transportation of urea across provincial borders with no hindrance in the supply of the fertiliser required for provincial needs.

The meeting was briefed that the current production and stock of urea are sufficient for the ongoing wheat season.

Meanwhile, an import of 220,000 metric tons of urea is underway to maintain a buffer stock and its first shipment is expected to arrive in Pakistan next week.

The chief secretaries of all the four provinces informed the meeting about measures taken by the district administrations to ensure supply of fertiliser to farmers on government-subsidised rates.