The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) on Friday fully supported decision to launch military operation against terrorists.
Terrorists should not be allowed to impose their flawed ideology and unholy agenda on people of Pakistan, it said.
Military operation can only achieve objective if a special anti-terrorist law is enacted allowing quick summary trials otherwise the situation will get out of control, the former military generals warned in a meeting chaired by President PESA Lt. Gen (Retd) Ali Kuli Khan.
Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim. Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, former ambassador Salim Nawaz Gandapur, Brig Riaz Ahmed, Brig masud ul Hassan, Major Farouk Hameed and others were also present in the meeting.
They said that “TTP is threatening to destroy our values and motherland therefore it must be rooted out without wasting time. Pakistan cannot become a peaceful and developed country in the presence of TTP.”
Stressing the need for better intelligence-gathering, they said that attack on Malala Yusafzai and escape of culprits indicates total failure of our law enforcement agencies.
The meeting noted that every second day government functionaries claim arrest of some most wanted criminals but none gets convicted which speak volumes about investigative ability of our police and agencies responsible for internal security.
It is also unfortunate that the government has taken no action against officers for their failure to pursue terrorism-related cases effectively.
“Our political and religious leadership has failed to deal with the terrorism, tall claims, expression of regrets and posting reward for capture of culprits is not enough. The perpetrator of terrorism must get the punishment they deserve”, the former military strategists demanded.
“Those who are defaming the religion of peace by rejecting anything that stands for democracy, moderation and human rights are also bringing bad name to Pashtuns who have glorious traditions of bravery and chivalry”, they said.
The PESA members said that outrage that followed the attack on Malala shows that masses have rejected tyranny and barbarity and made-up interpretation of Islam by TTP.
The meeting demanded all possible medical assistance for Malala who has the courage to make history and prayed for her early recovery.
