The need of the hour
Some activity has finally started on the government front to destroy the terrorist networks by concentrating on their financiers and helpers. The government has also turned its attention towards those who spread hatred against other sects ad religious minorities. There are also moves to stop the inflow of suspicious foreign funding for the seminaries. Hopefully the matter will be taken up during Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia also. The banned groups have so far managed to continue their activities under new names. They are likely to lie low and wait out the ongoing campaign against them. It remains to be seen if the government is capable of continuing the campaign till its logical end.
The revelation made by Ch Nisar about over 90 banned groups being active in Punjab would disturb many at a time when the terrorists are attacking like a wounded snake. This comes as a surprise as the Punjab government has consistently been in a state of denial about their presence in the province. Was the government kept in the dark all this time by the provincial security agencies? If so, action should be taken against those responsible. In case the government knew about the presence of so many banned outfits in the province, as its critics maintain, it needs to explain why it failed to take action against them.
The carelessness on the part of the provincial governments must come to an end. The realisation that there was foot dragging on their part has led the Prime Minister to summon the provincial Chief Ministers next week. While the federal government needs to put its weight behind the provinces, they have to play a key role in the campaign against terrorism and extremism. It is time for the federal government to realise that it is a bad policy to spare any terrorist group just because it is not currently targeting Pakistan. As a responsible state Pakistan should take against all terrorists, irrespective of whether they attack Pakistan or any other country.
