Tarar Calls For Political Consensus To Ensure Continuity Of Counter-terrorism Policies
Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar on Counter-Terrorism Efforts
Pakistan has faced immense challenges in its fight against terrorism, with approximately 90,000 lives lost. Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, emphasized that terrorists represent no specific ideology, race, or religion, and violence to impose ideologies is unacceptable.
In a workshop organized by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) for parliamentarians from Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh, the minister highlighted the country’s progress in counter-terrorism. He noted that terrorism had been significantly reduced by 2017 due to joint efforts from state institutions, federal and provincial governments, and the Pakistani people.
Tarar mentioned the National Action Plan introduced in 2017 to address security concerns, including lawlessness in Karachi, terrorist activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and militancy in Balochistan and central Punjab. This plan led to substantial progress until a policy shift occurred. He attributed subsequent challenges to changes that included sympathizing with terrorists and negotiating with them, undermining years of anti-terrorism efforts.
The minister criticized the lack of political consensus on crucial matters like national security and terrorism, stating that such decisions should involve political parties. He linked the current terrorism situation in Pakistan directly to the policy shift after 2017.
Despite these challenges, Tarar noted improvements under the National Action Plan over the past two to three years. Terrorists have shifted their targets, focusing on softer ones instead of high-security areas. He also mentioned the successful rescue operation following the Jaffar Express incident.
The basic cause of terrorism’s resurgence, according to the minister, is the policy change that occurred, emphasizing the need for a unified front and consensus in dealing with such critical issues.
