Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
Amid the recent surge in terrorism across the country, legislators in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday stressed the need for the implementation of the National Action Plan to end the menace of terrorism.
The session was held to discuss the rising tide of terrorism and particularly the heinous suicide attack carried out by the terrorists inside the mosque at Police Lines in Peshawar which has left more than 100 dead and hundreds injured.
Participating in the debate, Raza Rabbani condemned the suicide blast that took place in the mosque of Peshawar, adding that anti-terrorism policy should be discussed in the joint session of the parliament being held on Feb 8, 2023. He appealed to the political parties to hold national dialogue inside the parliament and evolve consensus on important matters.
The parliament was also unaware when the government made an agreement with TTP over ceasefire adding that all talks were done through a Jirga, which could not have any legal status.
“It is my complaint to all political parties that this is the question of life and death for the federation,” he said. “Terrorism has been on the rise, while the political parties are busy in the political tug of war,” he lamented. “All political parties should sit in the parliament to hold a national dialogue,” he advised.
Senator Saifullah Abro said efforts should be made to avert Peshawar like incidents in future. He said there should not be political point scoring on security related matters.
Taking part in the discussion, Bahramand Khan Tangi emphasized the need for implementation of the National Action Plan to curb terror incidents. He said those behind terror acts must be apprehended and given punishment. Describing the Peshawar mosque blast as reprehensible, he questioned that how long we will receive dead bodies of Pathans. After APS attack why NAP was not implemented fully, he questioned.
Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo said the government should focus on improving the security situation and protecting the lives of common man. Happening of such big terrorist incident in such a secure place was a big question mark over security of the country, he maintained. He also said that there was a need of fresh Afghan policy because the old one has totally failed.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed called for confessing that “our Afghan Policy has failed”. He said that “failing to formulate the counter-terrorism policy is our incapacity”.
