PESHAWAR: In light of the recent wave of terrorism in the
country, members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday raised
questions about the effectiveness of the measures taken to eliminate
militancy as well as the performance of law-enforcement agencies.
During
a session chaired by deputy speaker Prof Mehar Taj Roghani, the
lawmakers said the state had miserably failed to protect the public life
and property as the militants had been attacking soft targets wherever
they wanted.
They also criticised the administrative
secretaries, especially those of police and home departments, for
absenting themselves from the house during debate on law and order
situation in the province.
Leader of the opposition
Maulana Lutfur Rehman said the rulers had failed to ensure peace in the
country though the people had rendered huge sacrifices.
“The people at the helm of affairs should think if
their policies are causing the acts of terrorism to increase or decrease
in the country,” he said.
Complain terrorism rearing its ugly head again
The opposition leader said the recent terrorist attack on
the Agriculture Training Institute Peshawar revealed that militants have
the capability to attack everywhere.
In a veiled
reference to the establishment of military courts through a
constitutional amendment for speedy trial of terrorists, Mr Rehman said
the politicians supported them (military courts) halfheartedly but the
purpose for which they’re set up hadn’t been achieved.
He said the flaws in anti-terrorism measures and those responsible for them should be identified for necessary action.
“We need to see where we’re standing now despite laying down lots of lives," he said.
The
opposition leader criticised US President Donald Trump for recognising
Jerusalem as Israeli capital and insisted that the move would cause
unrest across the world.
“The recognition of Jerusalem by the US as Israeli capital is an attack on Muslims,” he said.
ANP parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak said the resurgence of terrorism had raised many questions.
He
said the Peshawar ATI attack was the third major terrorist act against
educational institutions in the province after the Army Public School
Peshawar and Bacha Khan University Charsadda strikes.
He
regretted that the parents of APS attack victims continued to demand
judicial inquiry into the massacre of their minor children by militants.
“Parents of the students still cry for justice,” he said.
The
ANP leader said despite the holding of numerous crackdowns by
law-enforcement agencies, the anti-social elements, extortionists and
kidnappers has made the people’s lives miserable.
He said
extortionists and kidnappers gave death warnings to notables in the
province, who didn’t report them to the police fearing for life.
“Pakistan
should refrain from interfering in the affairs of Afghanistan,” he said
wondering why Islamabad felt threatened if Kabul wanted to get closer
to New Delhi.
Mr Babak said unfortunately, Pakistan had fought for the US in Afghanistan in the name of ‘jihad’.
He said terrorism had become an international business in which many rich countries had invested money.
Nighat Orakzai of the PPP said it was unfortunate that terrorism was rearing its ugly head again.
She
wondered why the relevant authorities were silent over demonstrations
against government and donation collection by banned organisations.
The chair adjourned the session until Monday due to lack of quorum.
