N-league’s steadfast campaigner
When Nawaz Sharif was removed in the most unceremonious manner by Pervez Musharraf, there were few PML (N) leaders ready to bear the brunt of military regime, let alone standby their party and leadership. One notable exception was Rana Sana Ullah, who despite heavy odds stuck to his guns no matter what it took, even his life. It was a time when political loyalties were being changed at the drop of a hat. So much so, a new party out of PML(N) had been created. But Rana stood his ground and no amount of political victimisation or arm twisting could muzzle his voice against the then military government. He emerged as a lone ranger in and outside the assembly, raising his voice for the party leadership and against the military rulers. During this period and even now when his party wants Musharraf to be brought to account for abrogating the constitution, his conduct reflects his democratic credentials as a politician. No wonder Lady Luck is smiling on him as being the most prominent member of provincial cabinet now.
Talking to DNA, he termed the prevailing energy crisis and terrorism as two main priorities of his government which, he believes, would determine the future of his party. He is optimistic that the future is bright as people trust the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.
On this occasion, he also outlined government plans to deal with extremism and terrorism.
Question: What has the government been doing in pursuit of National Counter-Terrorism Policy in the Punjab?
Answer: Under this policy all provinces are raising their own anti-terrorism forces. Again, premium is laid on creating a strong and highly sophisticated intelligence network involving all the stakeholders, including all the provincial governments and security institutions. This government is also very serious in adopting the Protection of Pakistan Bill that would go a long way in countering extremism and the present wave of terrorism.
In the Punjab, the Anti-Terrorism Force consisting of 2000-3000 personnel will start its training in the first week of April. By December this year it will start functioning as an anti-terrorism force. It would be given highly professional training, besides the latest weaponry and equipment. This force would fully dedicated to the cause of curbing terrorism and would not be involved in any other civil or criminal or protocol duties.
The selection of this force has been very transparent. Its passing out will be held in December. In addition to these institutional measures, we will meet all the requirements for the successful implementation of PPO.
These anti-terrorist efforts will have the oversight of a highly powerful cabinet committee. I will be the convener of this committee. Other members are: provincial minister Col (Retd) Shujah Khanzada, Advisor to Chief Minister Rana Maqbool, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, IGP, heads of all intelligence agencies and Brig Anis.
This committee works like a think tank, analysing the situation and issuing guidelines to the police and other law-enforcing agencies. It is an important forum as only the chief minister accepts its recommendations.
The committee has the representation of both police and DMG cadres. Hence, there is no controversy over the issue of jurisdiction or subordination. All decisions are taken after mutual consultations. It is mandatory for the committee to meet twice a week at least.
The chief minister does not mind if any minister works over and above his ministry. Similarly, he likes hard-working cabinet members putting in 16 hours a day. However, he takes notice against those who even do not work for eight hours.
The chief minister takes decisions after consultations, supporting the majority decision. He honours the decision taken by the cabinet committee. This showed that the issue of one-man show here in Punjab is mere propaganda.
Question: What is the basis of government optimism over talks with Taliban when others are not very convinced about the results?
Answer: Recent surgical strikes against Taliban by Pakistan military have changed the attitude of the militants. They now want to finish the matter at the earliest.
I think if the government manages to isolate even half of the groups from Taliban, it will be an achievement. It will be easier to deal with the remaining groups. I hope that the government would win over several groups if not all of them in these talks.
I think that Taliban should extend the ceasefire as talks require a congenial atmosphere. Again, if the talks are held within the parametres of the constitution then it is a win win situation for the country.
Question: Why you are not part of the committee and why has it no representation from the parliament?
Answer: If I have been a member of the committee, all my critics would have been very happy as it would provide them an excellent argument to take me on. They have already bracketed me with LeJ. All committee members from both sides enjoy the trust of each other and in this way composition of the committees would help in breaking the ice.
Question: What are the broad guidelines of the cabinet committee to law-enforcing agencies?
Answer: Our policy direction is based upon two principles; crime fighting and maintenance of law and order in the province. All efforts are geared to achieve these two goals.
In order to achieve these objectives we are trying to provide best possible human resources to police and intelligence agencies.
We are in the process of revamping the Special Branch. In order to do so, we are placing the best police officers at its disposal. Again, in order to induct fresh blood we are creating Special Branch’s own cadre and recruitment for this will start very soon.
We have converted Counter-terrorism Department (CTD) into an Anti-terrorism Force. We are placing huge resources at its disposal to achieve desired results. Similarly, we are engaged in capacity-building of all the police training institutions involving the expertise from army and government of Turkey. Latest equipment worth billions has been purchased. Similarly, we are reorganising our prison force.
Question: Why despite all these efforts street crime is on rise?
Answer: Main reason is that 85 per cent police are deployed for counter-terrorism measures, leaving behind very little resources to fight street crime. There are also some basic defects in the internal working of the police.
Question: What is the main problem with police in your opinion?
Answer: In my opinion, the deteriorated and decadent human resource in police is the main cause of its failure. The police require induction of younger lot that is highly paid and skillful.
Also, we have a very defective criminal justice system. There is also a crisis of authority in police. If a police officer takes action against his junior he ends up in the courts defending his orders. Courts are routinely seen humiliating police officers. This has affected the morale and discipline of police as a professional force.
In order to make police an efficient force, we need to give autonomy to police in its internal working. There should not be any interference from the outside as being practiced in the Pakistan Army.
Interestingly, a police officer becomes IGP when he is about to conclude his services. Only a few months are left in his retirement. In such cases, he mostly remains pre-occupied by his own future after retirement instead of doing something for the service. I think the IGP should be a tenure post whether for three year or even less, but it has to be a tenure post. In this way he would have the liberty to formulate a policy and then time to implement it.
Similarly, the posts of RPO and DPO should have a secure tenure if we want them to deliver.
Question: Punjab gets the blame of harbouring hundreds of sleeper cells, creating problems in other provinces?
Answer: It is mere propaganda on the part of our political rivals. They want to stop the PML(N)’s penetration in Sindh or KPK, hence the outcry over LeJ and other banned outfits operating from Punjab.
Tell me have they ever come up with any proof of these allegations. In Sindh the operation is going on. Have they captured a group claiming to be trained in South Punjab. Same is the case with KPK.
If they have any proof they could have arrested them with the help of the federal government. Again, would intelligence agencies let the Punjab government harbor terrorists?
The militant wings of banned outfits have already left Punjab for FATA or ever farther than it. Remaining parties have no militants in their fold.
Question: Why you are being bracketed with LeJ and other banned organisation?
Answer: It is because my rivals are propagating such things. These people hardly listen to us. They only listen to agencies as they are on their payrolls.
Tell me who took Ishaq and Maulana Ludhianvi to Islamabad for talks after the attack on GHQ? They are people like Col Imam and Khalid Kh.
Question: What would you say on the threat received by Bilawal Bhutto?
Answer: We have assured the PPP leadership foolproof security during his upcoming visit. As far as his letter, so far PPP leaders have been unable to give any evidence showing which group is behind the threat. Similarly, Punjab government has not received any schedule of the Bilawal’s visit to Punjab.
I think the letter is the handiwork of Rehman Malik to gain some brownie points.
Question: Where is politics of the province heading?
Answer: Under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, people have the confidence that the ruling party is capable of delivering and providing clean governance. We have two main challenges before us, energy crisis and terrorism. The future of PML(N) would depend upon how efficiently we deal with these issues. We hope that our party would overcome these problems before going before the people in the next elections.