State can fight terrorists for 100 years: PM

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Friday ruled out any possibility of talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), warning that no group or outfit would be allowed to take up arms against the state and challenge its writ.

Speaking during a meeting with the representatives of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and a press conference during his visit to Peshawar, Kakar declared that the State of Pakistan was powerful enough to fight the terrorists even for next 100 years.

“No one is willing to talk to them. We don’t want to talk to them. The state of Pakistan is so powerful in the fight against the TTP, not just one year, rather 100 years,” Kakar told the reporters. “Don’t you see their people are being killed on a daily basis. Our people are also being martyred.”

The prime minister was asked what the impediments in the talks with TTP were. In straightforward reply, he said: “What kind of talks or impediments [you are talking about]? He added: “Who told you that we have any intention to talk with TTP.”

Kakar, once again rubbished the notion that the registered Afghan refugees were being expelled from Pakistan. “Only those living illegally in Pakistan are being expelled,” he said. “The state wanted to rid the country of those causing social ills as well as becoming a challenge of terrorism and crimes,” he added.

The prime minister stressed that through the news measures, Pakistan did not want to undermine its relations with Afghanistan rather it desired to have the ties based on international standards in which the movement of the people would be subjected to visas.

Since the illegal residents had no registration in the Pakistani database, he said, the state was unable to distinguish between those playing a productive role in the society and the criminals. He also said there were no reports so far about the burning of houses in North Waziristan, Bajaur or Orakzai.

Dilating on the ongoing economic conditions, Kakar said that an appreciating rupee had helped in reducing the country’s debt burden by Rs4000 billion, besides having an impact on the prices of petroleum products, sugar, ghee and other edibles.

Read More: TTP remains threat for neighbouring countries, UNSC told

The prime minister was also asked questions about political issues, including the timing of the next general elections and the contesting political and the return of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan.

Kakar reiterated that all the registered political parties would be allowed to contest election, adding if there was any complaint, the Prime Minister’s Office could be approached. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would announce the date of election. On Nawaz’s return, he said that the caretaker government would act as per the law.

Earlier, talking to an SCCI delegation, Prime Minister Kakar said that the government would never let any outfit or group to take up arms and challenge the writ of the state. He assured that the federal and provincial governments were implementing the anti-terrorism National Action Plan (NAP).

Kakar said that the armed forces and the police had rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He added that the police should be equipped with modern equipment to better deal with the menace of terrorism.

Read More: CTD dismantles TTP sleeper cell in Swabi

The prime minister castigated the culture of not paying taxes and the menace of smuggling, which was hurting the national economy. He said that country had sacrificed lives of 90,000 people in the fight against terrorism and still “some people are not paying taxes, rather demanding right to smuggling”.

“Some people think that stealing and smuggling is their right. Can a society function like this,” he asked.

He exhorted that one generation rendered sacrifices to secure the future of the next generation. We have sacrificed one generation, but have we secured the future of the next generation?”

About the prevailing situation in the country, Kakar said that there were only questions about everything – from education to politics and to economy. “The answers are not available and if attempts are made to find answers, there comes reaction from different quarters”.

The prime minister said that due to the timely actions of the government, the value of the rupee had increased. He also praised the army’s efforts against the smuggling and hoarding. “Smuggling and corruption will not be tolerated at all.”

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)