Effective implementation of NAP need of the hour: Sherpao

Demands govt devise comprehensive strategy on terrorism

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said the government should ensure effective implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) to combat the menace of terrorism.

He was speaking at a news conference at the party’s headquarters in the city on Saturday.

Sherpao said Bacha Khan University attack took place because NAP was not implemented in letter and spirit.



“Arming and training teachers is not a solution to the issue,” he said. “Instead, both governments should improve and equip law-enforcement agencies, share intelligencereports and implement NAP in letter and spirit.”

The QWP chief added the BKU attack would not have taken place had the government implemented NAP in view of the law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

He demanded a judicial enquiry into the BKU tragedy and urged the government to determine the weaknesses in the system and devise an effective strategy to tackle militancy.



According to Sherpao, the government had failed to protect citizens and devise a successful strategy to counter terrorism even though a year has passed since the Army Public School attack.

He added the government has not learnt anything from the APS tragedy. The QWP chief said the government must ensure coordination between intelligence agencies and provide financial assistance to the provinces to recruit more law-enforcement officials to counter terrorism.

“The BKU tragedy has badly affected the attendance of students at schools, colleges and universities,” he said.

The QWP chief asked the federal government to deploy personnel of Frontier Constabulary at educational institutes as their job was to ensure maintenance of law and order and not to secure embassies.

He said FC deployment would increase vigilance and help monitor the activities of the militants. Sherpao directed his party MPAs and leaders to visit schools and colleges in their constituencies, spend time with students and meet their parents to boost their confidence.

He also urged the political leadership to come forward and raise the morale of students and their parents as the nation needs them in this hour of need. About Pak-Afghan relations, the QWP chief said the prevailing mistrust between the two countries could be addressed by people-to-people contact and acting swiftly to control violence on both sides of the border.

“Our visit to Afghanistan bore fruits after which President Ashraf Ghani attended Heart of Asia Conference and a meeting for bringing peace back in the region,” he added.

He also demanded the prime minister fulfil promises he made with political leaders of K-P on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He suggested, “The federal government should also construct alternative routes through Shangla and Chitral along with CPEC.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2016.