Law and order: ANP leader concerned over target killings

Mian Iftikhar says govt must take action against terrorists without discrimination

PESHAWAR: Persistent targeted attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cast doubt on the performance of the provincial government and law-enforcement agencies.

This was said by Awami National Party Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain.  This was stated in a press statement issued on Monday.

“Target killing is another part of terror in which the assailant remains safe,” the document cited Mian Iftikhar as citing. “In recent days, a large number of people, including police officers, intellectuals, lawyers and academicians have been gunned down by target killers.”

The ANP leader reiterated his demands for immediate action against terrorists in Punjab and Islamabad.

“If timely action is not taken, the sovereignty of the country will be at stake,” the statement cited the ANP leader as saying.

He claimed that elements associated with banned terrorist groups were engaged in collecting donations in Islamabad.

“Meanwhile, the rulers were playing role of silent spectator,” the document cited him as saying.

Mian Iftikhar claimed that around 70 different militant groups were camping and operating in Punjab. However, the government was reluctant in fulfil its commitments according to National Action Plan.

“There is no good and bad among these militants as all of them are enemies of the country,” the statement quoted Mian Iftikhar as saying.

The ANP leader added the government must take action against the terrorists without any discrimination and classification. Mian Iftikhar also condemned the provincial government for its failure in protecting people and their property.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2016.