Govt rules out operation in Punjab

The government has decided to immediately activate the Nacta to root out terrorism from the country.

The government has decided to immediately activate the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) to root out terrorism from the country.

The move to activate Nacta was taken at a high-level meeting on national security presided over by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani here on Monday.

The meeting was convened in the wake of the recent wave of terrorist attacks in the country, especially after the deadly suicide bombings at the shrine of revered Sufi saint Hazrat Syed Ali bin Usman Hajveri in Lahore.

“The government expressed its resolve to evolve a consensus among political and religious leaders for developing unanimity of action against terrorists and a future action plan,” Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told journalists at a joint news conference with his cabinet colleague Rehman Malik after the meeting.

Attendees at the meeting included provincial chief ministers, chief secretaries, inspectors- general of police, AJK premier, chief secretary and inspector-general of police AJK, representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan and heads of all intelligence agencies.

Kaira said the meeting discussed the government’s counter-terrorism policy to further improve it. At the meeting, the prime minister expressed sorrow over the Data Darbar bombings, saying that the attack on the shrine was a matter of great concern for all.  The meeting stressed the need for formulating a unanimous policy in consultation with all stakeholders to curb terrorism.

The meeting also reviewed the overall security situation and observed that after their defeat in tribal regions, terrorists had moved to the settled areas, especially Punjab, to create unrest and destabilise the country.

Kaira said the prime minister had ordered the convening of a national conference, adding that the date would be announced after consultation with all stakeholders. “A national policy on counter-terrorism will be formulated in the light of the conference’s recommendations and suggestions of the parliamentary committee on national security,” he added.

Leaders from all major political parties would be invited to the conference, irrespective of their representation in parliament.  However, the interior minister added that outlawed outfits would be an exception and their leaders would not be allowed to attend the meeting.

Kaira said that legislation on the Anti Terrorist Act (ATA) was  delayed due to the budget session. “The prime minister has directed the meeting to amend the act and present it for legislation in the National Assembly,” he added.

Gilani also directed to improve intelligence-sharing among the provinces and the federation, so that any information about a possible terrorist attack could be passed on timely.

Kaira said the government is pursuing the policy of 3Ds— dialogue, deterrence and development, but the question arises that with whom the government should talk. “The government is ready to hold dialogue with those who will surrender and accept its writ,” he said, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not go in vain.

The meeting underlined the capacity building of law-enforcement agencies. “The government will provide additional resources for capacity building of law-enforcement agencies. We are also in contact with other countries in this regard,” he added.

The prime minister ordered to expedite work on madrassa reforms, Kaira said, adding that the unfortunate attack at Data Darbar had proved that the enemies were trying to ignite sectarian violence in the country.

“Together we have to foil the ulterior motives of the enemies. We should not have to indulge in sectarianism, because it is a conspiracy of our enemies,” he said. Responding to a question, Malik said there is complete coordination between the federal and Punjab governments.  He said he had also held a detailed meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed various issues related to security.

Malik said investigation into the Data Darbar bombings was under way and that it would be premature to pinpoint any one before the completion of the due course of the probe. However, he said that one suicide bomber of Data Darbar had been identified.

He said there is no plan to launch military or security forces’ operation in Punjab, adding the provincial government would take any decision in this regard, however, the federation would support them.

“The federation would extend all kinds of cooperation to the Punjab government as it provided to the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa in the past against the terrorists,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2010.