THE Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Rawalpindi Police foiled an attack on Central Jail Rawalpindi by “terrorists belonging to Afghanistan,” police announced in a statement on Thursday, saying they had made three arrests in the joint operation. A map of the prison as well as hand grenades, automatic weapons and bombs were recovered from the suspects, police said, adding that it was carrying out a search operation in and around Adiala.
The CTD and Rawalpindi Police deserve compliments for their alertness, which helped prevent a major tragedy as any attack on Adiala Jail could have serious consequences in view of the fact that it houses, these days, several high profile personalities. It was, indeed, a conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan and therefore, we hope relevant agencies would go deep into the episode and make their findings known. The involvement of Afghan nationals once again confirms the oft-repeated assertions of Pakistan that nationals of the neighbouring countries were behind most of the terrorist activities and incidents of sabotage. It was because of this that Pakistan has consistently been urging the Taliban Government to ensure that its soil is not used for planning and launching terrorist attacks inside Pakistan and a campaign is underway to deport all illegal foreigners including Afghans. The foiled attempt of attacks on Adiala Jail is not an ordinary incident as there is also political tension and confrontation in the country. PTI founding Chairman is in the same jail in different cases along with former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and former Punjab Chief Minister Ch. Pervez Elahi and any threat to their lives could have dangerous implications for the unity and peace of the country as tempers are already high due to allegations of rigging. Unfortunately, internal polarization has reached a level where, instead of appreciating the success of the CTD and the Rawalpindi Police in foiling designs of the conspirators, PTI leadership is hurling threats on the Government. Party spokesperson Shoaib Shaheen has said the incumbent government and establishment would be responsible if anything happened to the incarcerated party founder. Talking to newsmen outside the Election Commission of Pakistan premises, he asked a queer question “Why do terrorists choose to target only Adiala Jail instead of other jails across the country?” alleging that attempts were being made to threaten and murder the PTI leader. These are highly irresponsible comments and the party leadership must avoid indulging in such rhetoric for the sake of petty political objectives or finding favours with the jailed leader. Threat alerts were also issued in the recent past for other political leaders including JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and it is quite obvious that planners of such attacks aim to spread chaos and anarchy in the country. There is no doubt that it is the responsibility of the Punjab Government, Federal Government and their relevant agencies to ensure security of the jailed leaders and it is satisfying that they are not oblivious to their responsibility in this regard. We hope security, both inside and outside the prison, would be improved further. At the same time, the campaign to deport illegal Afghans must be intensified in view of their involvement in all kinds of gruesome activities and crimes. There should be zero tolerance for all illegal immigrants.
