Debate on security policy: Political parties urged to dismantle militant wings

Achakzai wants foreign powers to link aid to democracy in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD:

Debating on the newly introduced Internal Security Policy, the lawmakers in the National Assembly on Wednesday said abolition of ‘militant wings’ of political parties was necessary to achieve the goal of internal security.  

“Armed wings of political parties and sectarian outfits should be abolished to restore peace in the country,” said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s MNA Dr Shireen Mazari, adding that government should isolate the extremists, terminate terrorists and pull out of American war.



Dr Mazari said the internal security policy failed to elaborate different kinds of threats and strategy to deal with them. She put emphasis on incorporating education in the policy so that ‘the breeding ground for terrorism’ could be stopped.

Taking part in the debate, Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party’s chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai said a joint sitting of parliament should be held to convey a clear message that the Constitution is the supreme document.

“We should ask the US and other world powers not to support undemocratic regimes in Pakistan,” he said, adding that foreign aid should also be linked to democracy.

Achakzai said peace in Pakistan could not be restored through military operation. “Military operation must be the last resort,” he added.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl MNA Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani said the war on terror was used by foreign powers to malign Islam and create a wedge amongst the Islamic countries.  “We have suffered a $78 billion economic loss due to the war,” he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami member Sahibzada Tariqullah said members should ponder upon reasons behind terrorism. He said peace would be restored in Pakistan and Afghanistan after withdrawal of NATO and US forces.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2014.