Counter-terrorism strategy: Political leadership divided over APC

Think the govt is confused about how to deal with the menace.

ISLAMABAD:

While the government has announced it will convene an all-party conference (APC) by the end of this month to evolve consensus on a new counter-terrorism policy, opposition groups expressed divergent views on the unnecessary delay in unveiling the policy.

PPP Senator Raza Rabbani supported the government decision to call the APC but said that details of the counter-terrorism policy could not be discussed at the meeting. “I would suggest the government revive the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which has representation from all political parties,” he said.

Senator Rabbani said the government should first forward the draft national security policy to the PCNS before tabling it in parliament. “At the same time, the government can convene the APC,” he added. “I don’t think the APC would serve the purpose if it is held straightaway.”

ANP Senator Haji Adeel said the government did not have a clear policy to deal with terrorism. “Actually, South Punjab is the hub of terrorism where several proscribed organisations, like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Lashkar-e-Taiba, under different names,” he said. “These outfits have political backing.”

Asked about the government’s initiative of holding the APC, he said: “There had been two such conferences before the elections and perhaps there was no need for another one.”

PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi stressed the need for holding the APC as soon as possible. “The delay is resulting in reducing the window of opportunity for holding talks,” he added. However, he also said that the government was ‘confused’ over the issue. “We have told the government that the entire opposition is waiting for you,” he said.

“The government should have delineated preliminary steps if it has not completed the homework on a national security policy,” Dr Alvi said, adding that his party realised that it was not an easy task.

Dr Alvi further said the PTI has also proposed not to convene the APC and instead invite parliamentary leaders of the political parties and chief ministers for discussion and briefing over the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2013.