Vocal critic: PAT claims govt uninterested in implementing NAP

Tahirul Qadri to arrive in Lahore on Dec 22

LAHORE: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) expressed grave concern on Sunday over the government’s apparent lack of interest in implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism.

The PAT Media Cell released a report about the government’s yearly performance. It questioned the government’s seriousness in fighting terrorism and taking action against hardliners.

“The government is more interested in construction contracts. The banned [militant] outfits are reemerging. The 20-point NAP has been put aside for unknown reasons. It had called for action against armed militias, revamping of criminal justice system and dealing sternly with banned outfits,” the report said.

The report discussed the negative impact of corruption on the national economy. “A list of 150 corruption scandals was earlier presented before the Supreme Court. Even after the passage of one year, no one has been convicted or sentenced in any of the cases,” it said.

The report said that the payment of Rs480 billion to IPPs had created doubts in the minds of the people. “No investigation has been started over the State Bank’s report that billions of dollars are transferred abroad every year,” it said.

“The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has not explained what it has done so far about audit of billions of rupees allocated for the Youth Festival. The Nandipur Power Project case remains unsolved,” it said.

The PAT report said that oil prices had further declined in the international market. “However, the people of this country have not benefited from the lower international prices. The country is still seeking new loans,” it said.

PAT Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri will reach Lahore on December 22. “All preparations are in place for welcoming for Dr Qadri at the Lahore Airport,” said PAT information secretary Noorullah Siddique on Saturday.

He said that the PAT chief would address the World Milad Conference at the Minar-i-Pakistan on the night of December 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st,  2015.