Lack of governance initiatives worries army

Corps commanders call for progress of NAP implementation, finalisation of Fata reforms and completion of JITs

ISLAMABAD:

The civil and military authorities appear to be at odds over the slow pace of implementation on a new national plan introduced to effectively deal with the threat of terrorism and extremism. The National Action Plan (NAP) was unanimously adopted by the political leadership after Taliban terrorists methodically killed dozens of pupils and staff at the Army Public School in Peshawar in December last year.

On Tuesday, army chief General Raheel Sharif used a corps commanders’ meeting to call for taking ‘governance initiatives’ in order to complement efforts of the security forces in the fight against terrorism.

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the corps commanders’ meeting – presided over by the army chief at the GHQ – extensively reviewed the internal security situation.

The army chief, appreciating the achievements and effects of the military offensive and intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against terrorists, acknowledged the full support of the nation for ‘our ongoing’ efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism.

Gen Raheel, however, underlined the need for matching complimentary governance initiatives for long-term gains of the operations and enduring peace across the country.

“Progress of NAP’s implementation, finalisation of Fata [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] reforms, and concluding all ongoing JITs [joint investigation teams] at priority were highlighted [in the meeting] as issues, which could undermine the effects of operations,” said the ISPR.

The army chief also directed to expedite return of the Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs), overcoming all obstacles for development works in affected areas and rehabilitation of all displaced families.

A senior security official told The Express Tribune that the military leadership has already conveyed its reservations to the federal government over lack of progress on certain aspects of the NAP.

Speaking off-the-record, the official said while the army had successfully eliminated the terror infrastructure, a lack of initiatives by the civilian authorities could undo the gains.

The official particularly highlighted thousands of pending cases before the JITs, headed by police officials.  He said the Rangers arrested hundreds of suspects during the Karachi operation but the JITs had yet to complete their work, delaying much needed prosecutions.

He also pointed out lack of progress on political and economic reforms for Fata. “All these are major obstacles to achieve the ultimate goal of terror free Pakistan,” the official emphasised.

Meanwhile, the corps commanders also discussed the army chief’s upcoming five-day trip to the US, where, according to the ISPR, he will clearly highlight Pakistan’s perspective on the emerging regional realities. General Raheel, who is undertaking a second visit to the US in less than year, will be leaving for Washington on November 15.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2015.