Rebuking terrorism : Civil society expresses concern over security of aid workers

Government urged to expedite action against terrorism.

PESHAWAR: In light of the killing of aid workers in Swabi, a seminar was held at the Peshawar Press Club where civil society organisations condemned the government’s failure to provide security to aid workers and called upon the nation to unite against terrorism.

The activists criticised the government for failing to protect NGO workers and expressed grave concern over the increase in targeted attacks in various parts of the province.

“If terrorists involved in the attack on polio workers were arrested, the attack on aid workers in Swabi district could have been averted,” said activist Sikandar Zaman.

Shakeel Wahidullah, another activist, said a grand jirga comprising religious leaders needs to be formed to address the growing problem of terrorism.

“We are dealing with a war waged by the world in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and if it is not curbed here, it will gradually engulf the whole world,” said Bacha Khan Education Foundation Managing Director Khadim Hussain.

While urging the government to take action against militants, he condemned all terrorist acts, especially the attack on Malala Yousufzai.

Civil society members said the K-P governor should announce compensation of Rs2 million for 21 slain Levies personnel and aid workers killed in different parts of the province.

“A special day will be observed on January 10 to show solidarity with victims of the Swabi incident,” said Aurat Foundation representative Shabeena Naz.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2013.