National Assembly: PM for tougher anti-terror laws

Gilani defends intelligence agencies, says foreign media is disseminating false news.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday called for tightening of anti-terror laws by giving more powers to intelligence agencies and courts to ensure that suspects arrested on terrorism charges do not escape punishment.

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 needs to be improved because thousands of terrorists have been bailed out by courts who again indulge in terrorist activities, Premier Gilani told lawmakers in the National Assembly. “I will not blame the judiciary but we have to improve the Anti-Terrorist Act,” he said, adding that terrorists have killed thousands of innocent people and security personnel.

He also sought to defend the country’s intelligence agencies being blamed by rights groups and the international media for violating human rights and being behind forced disappearances, especially in insurgency-hit areas. The prime minister added that foreign media is trying to taint the image of Pakistan’s institutions by publishing fabricated news.

His assertion came a day after The New York Times reported that the Obama administration is concerned about disappearances in Pakistan and suspects the country’s spy agencies to be behind them.

A few months ago, a video surfaced in the Swat valley, showing some men in army uniform, lining up and shooting at least six handcuffed people after subjecting them to abuse. Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani formed a committee to investigate the matter, but there has been no report so far. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also accused the military of extrajudicial killings in Swat and other parts of Malakand Division in one of its recent reports.

But Gilani saw nothing wrong with the country’s spy agencies or their working and blamed international media for running a smear campaign against Pakistan’s secret outfits. “Pakistan’s security agencies have no need to violate  human rights,” the prime minister said. “If our agencies have to violate human rights, then they would have asked us in meetings to make the anti-terrorists law ineffective,” he added.

PML-N, MQM feud

Wednesday’s verbal sparring between the leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) outside the Parliament House also echoed in the house on Friday. Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan called for a parliamentary investigation into the matter. Nisar’s demand enraged MQM lawmaker Wasim Akhtar who said he did not have any regrets.

A statement by the party later, however, quoting Wasim clarified that his reaction was caused by the provocative statement of Nisar. “It was not my desire to hurt the feelings of anyone. My leader Altaf Hussain has asked us to exercise restraint in the face of provocations but leaders of other political party must also display civility and politeness while making political statements. Arguments should be met by arguments. If my words have hurt the sentiments of people, then I apologise for my remarks,” Akhtar said. Gilani adviced both sides: “We have to show political maturity and avoid saying anything about political leadership.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2011.