Pakistan

Aitzaz Ahsan calls for action against banned outfits

PPP leader criticises government for failing to implement National Action Plan

News Desk October 06, 2016

PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan. PHOTO: FILE

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan has lashed out at the federal government for failing to implement National Action Plan in its true spirit to take action against “non-state actors [who are] operating freely in the country”.

“The government has completely failed to implement NAP in reference to acting against non-state actors… until non-state actors keep [freely] taking out rallies in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad and Karachi, [the government] will be accused of terror,” Aitzaz told lawmakers while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday.

The PPP leader criticised the government for not categorically refuting the Indian accusations of Pakistani involvement in the Uri attack in held Kashmir. “Just saying Pakistan has nothing to do with Uri attack is not a categorical denial… [it is like] as if we are not completely sure whether our non-state actors were actually behind it.”

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Aitzaz, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Upper House of Parliament, said: “If you [government] are unsuccessful in implementing NAP completely and any such event happens, the accusations will be put on Pakistan and it will become isolated. Bangladesh and Afghanistan will end diplomatic ties with you and Bangladesh and Bhutan will take sides with India.”

“You [Nawaz] have isolated Pakistan,” the senator claimed, suggesting the country’s diplomatic isolation was the “personal failure” of the prime minister.

"Nawaz did not anticipate the Uri attack. Our defence minister said that perhaps India orchestrated a drama to divert attention away from Kashmir. I agree, it is possible, but then why is Pakistan isolated now? Is it because you have given freedom to non-state actors,” he questioned.

Criticising the prime minister’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) the PPP leader said PM did not mention the arrest of Indian spy Kul Bhushan Yadav from Balochistan.