Terror on the loose: Leader of opposition rebukes govt for indecision

Says terrorists least interested in peace talks, government must set its line of action sooner .

ISLAMABAD:

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah has said that the government’s indecision about the militants is hindering the military in chalking out their line of action against them.

The terrorists are on the loose, targeting the armed forces and civilians alike but the government is still undecided on what to do, Shah said while talking to The Express Tribune on phone on Sunday.

The opposition leader said that the government was given mandate in All Parties Conference (APC) for taking swift decisions about the militants, whether to hold peace talks or go for army action.

He asked the government to take bold steps by holding result-oriented dialogue with the Taliban or to choose other ways to deal with them.

Condemning Peshawar blast‚ Khursheed Shah said that opposition has extended all-out support to the government to get rid of terrorism.

It may be recalled that the APC, headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was held in Islamabad on September 9. It had adopted a joint communiqué calling to initiate result-oriented peace dialogue to eliminate extremism.

“The government’s soft corner for the Taliban, and delay in taking a decision, has strengthened the militants and our military seems to be confused,” he said.

Shah called upon the government to take immediate decision to overcome the current challenge.

He noted that the subsequent incidents show that the terrorists are least interested in peace negotiations and the government has to take a decision about its line of action sooner than later.

He reminded the government that all the political forces in the recent APC have given their mandate to the government to go ahead without loss of time to adopt either of the options. “But the government seems to be confused on its strategy to deal with the problem,” he maintained.

He further said that the province which is most vocal and supportive for peace through talks is badly hit by terrorist attacks and the militants have shown no mercy even for the PTI.

“This is a clear proof that our hopes to sit and settle matters is just one-sided and amounts to wishful thinking as the terrorists have no regard for the consensus message of peace negotiations,” he maintained.

It is also a matter of concern for Imran Khan that his philosophy of negotiations for peace has failed and his statement for giving an office to TTP is also childish, Shah remarked.

The province where his party rules is the worst hit since the decision to offer talks was taken. The loss of a two-star general, a lieutenant colonel, the church blast and attacks on the bus and market in Peshawar claiming about hundred lives should be enough to open our eyes.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the opposition leader lambasted the federal government for not tackling other challenges being faced by the people.

“Not just terrorism, but ever increasing prices of daily use mechandise, petroleum products, energy tariffs and dollar’s rise have also put a big question mark on the government’s performance,” he maintained.

“Helplessness of the government in all matters of public concern is not a good indication. It will not be of any good to the people and the country,” Shah said.

He added that Pakistan Peoples Party had extended unconditional cooperation to government in all matters of national interest, “We have not changed our stance for the sake of progress and prosperity of the people.”

But now it is the duty of the government to come up with the people’s expectations as they cannot wait for 100 months after observing 100 days of bad performance, he noted.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2013.