Formation of commission urged to eradicate terrorism

By our correspondents

March 28, 2017

Islamabad

In order to deal with the menace of militancy in the country, parliament should constitute high-powered commission to review the policies that produced militants and to suggest ways and means to mainstreaming those willing to shun violence, says a press release.

These recommendations were made to “rehabilitate and reintegrate different brands of militants”. This was the second dialogue in a series conveyed by Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank, on countering extremism in the country.

Members of the group called upon the parliament to constitute a high-powered national-level truth and reconciliation commission that should address, among other things, how different brands of militant outfits can be mainstreamed, besides reviewing the policies that produce militancy in the first place. A wide-spread amnesty for all, without trial, was suggested for consideration. No reintegration, rehabilitation and mainstreaming beyond the frameworks of the Constitution will be accepted, it was clarified.

Members of this commission may include parliamentarians, social scientists, and other experts. The purpose of this commission, it was suggested, should be to review the basic ingredients of banned outfits. It was suggested that NACTA can serve as secretariat of this platform.

The group also suggested that de-radicalisation should be wide-spread. Professionals should be engaged in the rehabilitation centres.

Members of the working group include Tariq Khosa, former IG Punjab; Dr. Khalid Masud, former chairperson, Council of Islamic Ideology; Tariq Pervaiz, founding head, NACTA; Khurshid Nadeem, columnist and anchor; Lt. Gen (R) Amjad Shoaib, defence analyst; Muhammad Asghar, NACTA; Muhammad Ziauddin, senior journalist; Afrasiab Khattak, former senator; Gen. (R) Masood Aslam, defense analyst; Syed Arfeen Mehdi, journalist; Khalid Aziz, former secretary, KP; Brigadier (R) Fayyaz, political analyst. Members of banned outfits also presented their viewpoints.