The Senate was informed Tuesday that there is no confusion on addressing the issue of terrorism and the government is seriously pursuing dialogue with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“The government is not confused. It has clarity in its stance that dialogue will be held within the ambit of the Constitution. Dialogue is our first priority as mandated by all political parties,” Minister of Interior Baleeghur Rehman told the House in his winding up speech on law and order situation in the country.
The members from across the divide thoroughly discussed the issue on a motion moved by Senator Raza Rabbani and recorded their view point on the ongoing law and order situation in the country.
“The government is sincere in its efforts. There is no weakness. Dialogue is the first option and the government will only go for other option once this option is fully exhausted,” the minister said.
He reiterated that dialogue will be held within the ambit of the Constitution. “That is our commitment and part of the oath we have taken. Anything stated on talk shows is a personal opinion of those discussing it,” he mentioned.
He said dialogue is a sensitive issue and such matters are either kept totally secret or are dealt with cautiously. “But, the government has kept it open. Though it was an administrative matter, but the government took all political parties into confidence and enjoys their mandate to hold dialogue,” he said.
The minister questioned had the policy of those political parties changed now who had then supported to hold dialogue with the TTP.
He said there can be objections on a process but one has to start somewhere and if anybody wants improvement, there is always room for it.
About the situation in Sindh and Balochistan, he said the situation is improving in both the provinces in wake of the wise policies of the government and Sindh Chief Minister has himself acknowledged 40 percent decline in criminal activities in the province especially in Karachi.
He said law and order is exclusively a provincial matter but the federal government is all out there to facilitate the provinces for curbing outlaws whether it is the matter of appointing desired officers or conducting a targeted operation.
“The results are conspicuous and situation is improving. The prime minister himself went to Sindh and Balochistan and directed the provincial administrations to deal with the issue seriously and sincerely. He also extended all out support by the federal government,” he said.
He said the National Security Policy has been approved and it will soon be implemented as a whole. The partial implementation of the policy, he said, had also started generating desired results.
