Only dismantling of terrorist network can win war: Wattoo

LAHORE
War on terror cannot be won without dismantling terrorists’ network in Punjab, said Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, President Punjab PPP, in a statement issued from the party Secretariat on Wednesday. He appreciated the resolve of the Punjab chief minister when he swore on the blood of martyrs in a cabinet meeting reiterating not to take rest till the hunting down of the last terrorist. His firm resolve to deal with the menace came too late without compunction, he observed.
He said his latest unequivocal determination was directly in contrast with his earlier assertion of “spare Punjab” that invoked strong reaction among civil society, media and the leadership hailing from other provinces. It was deemed as anti-federation because he presumably sought peace in Punjab at the altar of other federating units, he commented.
He added that after the martyrdom of Shujah Khanzada the focus of attention of the whole nation had shifted to Punjab where terrorists had set up their safe havens. The political and military leadership share the view that terrorists have to be eliminated from Punjab as part of the National Action Plan, he added. He underscored the importance of implementing the National Action Plan in its entirety on proactive basis because the nation was fighting the war of survival that must be won.
He recalled that during his tenure as chief minister in 1994-95 almost similar situation existed in the province, but he dealt these elements with the force of law ensuring its indiscriminate implementation across the board in letter and spirit. The grave situation was brought under control effectively as peace was swaying across the province, he added.