Skip to main content

Army should sit with politicians to end terrorism: Fazl

PESHAWAR: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said the nation was not satisfied with the results of past military operations in the tribal areas and suggested that, rather than targeting innocent people, state institutions should sit down with politicians to hammer out a solution. The JUI-F emir was addressing a press conference after convening a grand tribal jirga on Friday, days after a deadly suicide attack on his party’s convention in Bajaur left 63 persons dead and scores more injured. According to the declaration, the gathering expressed concerns over recent terrorist attacks and demanded action against the culprits. “The jirga demands effective steps to restore law and order,” said Mr Rehman while reading out the declaration. The jirga was attended by Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) head Mahmood Khan Achakzai, PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Awami National Party General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain and others political leaders as well as a large number of tribal elders. Mr Rehman said the state institutions, instead of launching a crackdown on innocent public, should sit down with politicians to foil the designs of terrorists. While the statement did not explicitly say as much, several lawmakers from KP and the tribal districts have, in the past, decried the harassment of locals in the name of ensuring security, while lamenting that terrorists are allowed a free rein. He demanded that those affected by military operations conducted in the past should be compensated for their losses. Referring to the current uptick in terror attacks, he claimed it was an “international conspiracy” to destabilise Pakistan economically, politically and internally. In reply to a question, the JUI-F chief said consultations between state institutions and political parties were imperative as decisions made without taking politicians into confidence will lack public support. The jirga demanded the restoration of peace in the merged areas as well as the provision of facilities to the tribal people. The sitting also proposed a multi-party conference to forge unity among political parties and people in the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks against police, military personnel and political parties. Mr Rehman told the press conference that the JUI-F central executive committee was meeting today (Saturday) for consultation on holding the multi-party moot. Besides, he also underscored the importance of strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and chalking out a joint strategy to weed out terrorism. In his speech, the PkMAP chairman, Mr Achakzai claimed the ongoing bloodshed and violence on Pakhtun and Afghan lands was not a social or cultural phenomenon but the outcome of proxy wars waged by the international powers for their vested interests. “It was not feasible to not allow movement from one country to the other; therefore, both Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to make a joint strategy and further strengthen their relations.” He suggested the Afghan Taliban call a meeting of those leaders who took part in Doha negotiations with the US for consultations to come out of diplomatic isolation. Mr Achakzai also demanded the UN convene a special meeting of Afghanistan and its neighbours to present their reservations and reach a consensus on respecting each other’s sovereignty and independence while adhering to the principles of non-interference and peaceful co-existence. Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2023
http://dlvr.it/StDSdP

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Student council oath-taking ceremony

Islamabad:The Millennium College hosted a Student Council Investiture Ceremony 2019 at its Flagship Campus, I-9/3, says a press release.The student council comprising of AS & A Level, IBDP program and IGCSE’s vowed under oath that they will be active and responsible members of the student executive council and will abide by the laws made by the college and the managing body to guarantee themselves and the student body a better campus life.Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi graced the occasion and inducted the School’s Head Boy Sarosh Atif and Head Girl Qirrat Ali as well as the Executive Council Members of all clubs and societies established within the school system. After administering the oath, Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi along with the Founder & Chairman The Millennium Education Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq, Director International Qualifications Azra Tahir and Principal of Millennium College, Campus I-9/3, Muneeze Muzzafar awarded sashes, badges and certificates to the members of the co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pragmatic steps taken to implement Axle Load Control regime on NH&MP

Islamabad: Ministry of Communications has taken pragmatic steps to implement the Axle Load Control regime on Motorways & National Highways in the country. Sole objective of this move is to control travelling of overloaded vehicles which lead to fatal accidents besides damaging the national asset of road network of billions of rupees.Prior to implementation of axle load control regime, a technical committee was formed, consisting of officers from Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority which remained in constant contacts with transport community, Members of the Chambers of Commerce and stakeholders hailing from all the provinces. This technical committee visited their offices and held detailed discussions in series of meetings and took them into confidence to facilitate implementation of Axle Load Control regime. The stakeholders assured of their full cooperation and subsequently, implementation of Axle Load Control was realized which is in progress.It is worth to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

UN awards 2 Pakistani female peacekeepers for gender advocacy

The United Nations has awarded two Pakistani female peacekeepers with the Gender Advocacy Award for their “outstanding performance”, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. In a statement issued on Thursday, the ISPR said the awards were presented to Major Sania Safdar, part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus, and Major Komal Masood, who served in the Central African Republic, “for their outstanding performance and commitment in promoting the ideals of UN”. The accolades were presented by the under-secretary general in the UN’s Department for Peace Operations at its New York headquarters. “While serving in [an] international environment, both officers demonstrated exceptional professionalism [and] dedication,” the ISPR noted. It added that the two peacekeepers “made [a] significant contribution to Mission’s Peace and Stability efforts, especially with regards to advancing women’s meaningful participation in Peacekeeping Operations within the ...
Post a Comment
Read more