Nisar rubbishes Taliban claims that Pakistan Army has killed terrorists’ families in counter-terrorism efforts, says army does not attack non-combatants
Says Taliban sympathisers present among the masses
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday revealed that terrorists were planning another Peshawar-like attack and advised all people to play their part and support the Pakistan Army in thwarting the designs of anti-state elements.
Urging all Pakistanis to be vigilant, Nisar said any suspicious activity should be reported to the authorities. He also called for responsibility on part of telecommunication companies and media while advising caution in renting out houses and hotel rooms.
The minister also blasted Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP)’s allegation that they attacked schoolchildren in Peshawar in “retaliation to targeting of families of terrorists by the Pakistan Army”.
“Pakistan Army has never targeted children and women,” Nisar said during a press conference before a meeting with the committee drafting a national action plan to counter terrorism.
Nisar said that before a military offensive was launched in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in June, he (Nisar) and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif had a mutual stance “to ensure minimum to nil collateral damage”.
“If targeting civilians was our aim then we could have wiped out Miranshah where militants and citizens lived side by side with a couple of strikes. But we do not target non-combatants,” said Nisar.
“Even Osama bin Laden’s family was sent back to their country in a dignified manner,” he said.
PLAY YOUR PART, EVERYONE:
Nisar urged the people to realise that Pakistan is in a state of war and the enemy is within us. “The militants look like us and they have sympathisers who live among us,” he warned.
Talking about the Action Plan Committee, Nisar said, “Our committee has been given one week only to finish the job. We are working day in and day out to finalise the recommendations.”
The minister said that to find terrorists, an operation has been launched in Islamabad and the provincial governments have also been directed to conduct similar operations which would continue for an indefinite period.
“Police officers and SHOs have been directed to improve surveillance in their areas. DPOs have been directed to keep strict checks in sensitive areas. SHOs will be responsible for any terrorists operating from their area.”
“Hotel owners will be held responsible for any terrorists found in their hotels,” said Nisar, requesting all hotel owners to scrutinize anyone who wanted to stay at their establishments.
“Citizens must share information of any suspicious activity with security agencies,” he added.
New regulation is being chalked out for tenants as well, said Nisar as, “Certain houses were rented out in Miranshah which were used by terrorists.”
Nisar said that a regulation is being prepared for media, adding that the media cannot be allowed to air speeches of those endorsing the Peshawar attack and other terrorist activities.
The minister also urged telecommunication companies to play their part in eliminating terrorism.
“More than half a million unregistered SIMS have been cancelled so far on the intervention of the Interior Ministry but many unregistered SIMS are still being used for terrorism,” said Nisar, adding that five SIMS of the same company were issued from the same shop on one ID card.
“All these SIMS were used by the terrorists involved in Peshawar attack,” he said, adding that if such a case surfaces in future, a FIR will be registered against the telecom company.
Sharing his concerns about the ability of the police to fight terrorism, Nisar said that police has not been trained to fight terrorism. “It has been trained for maintaining law and order. But we are trying to train it on these lines as well now,” he said.
He welcomed the strong condemnation of terrorists by the country’s religious clerics, adding that madrassas must not become breeding grounds for extremism. He added that according to intelligence reports 90 per cent of madrassas had no connection with terrorism.
The minister also called for repatriation of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan.
“The situation in Afghanistan has improved. If elections can be held there, Afghan refugees should also go back to their country,” he said.