- PM says govt won’t step back on implementation of NAP, Karachi Operation, tells lawmakers to take their issues to parliament
Focusing on internal and external security situation of the country, the federal cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after five months on Monday agreed on effective implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) across the country besides deciding to apprise the international community on the matter of Indian spy agency’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan.
After a detailed presentation on the status of NAP, PM Sharif said that the government could not even think of taking a step back as far as the Karachi Operation was concerned. “Those who have come in the parliament with the people’s mandate should place their grievances and raise their issues on the floor, he added.
The premier noted that the operation against the criminal elements in Karachi was launched with the consensus of all the stakeholders and the results of the operation were visible. He said that the citizens of Karachi want peace and the government will not allow political expediency to come in the way of restoring peace.
Sharif emphasised that those who are involved in sectarianism will be dealt with iron hands and all those who disseminate hatred, incite militancy and encourage terrorism will not be spared at any cost. He directed the Interior Ministry to prepare a strategy for ‘de-weaponising’ the entire society.
The premier told the meeting participants that the government was committed to implementing NAP in its essence as benefits of its success will reach to each and every corner of the country.
Moreover, the PM informed the cabinet that Operation Zarb-e-Azb was achieving its objectives and armed forces and civilian institutions were responsible for that. He specifically lauded the efforts and determination of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman.
Earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the cabinet on NAP’s progress. He said the government was making progress and the security situation had improved. He assured that no criminal element or terrorist will be spared.
TAKING INDIA BY THE HORNS:
Furthermore, the federal cabinet has also decided to launch a “massive diplomatic offensive” to expose Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)’s “hegemonic designs” and involvement in terrorism in Pakistan.
It has been decided that Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and other ministers will visit world capitals and share evidence which Pakistan has gathered against India. In this regard, Pakistan has already shared dossiers with the United Nations (UN).
After Aziz briefed the cabinet on the deadlock in recent dialogue with India, the prime minister said that any dialogue sans Kashmir Issue will be futile. He said that Kashmiri leaders are not the third party but an important party to this issue. “Any decision on their future cannot be made without their opinion and consultation,” the premier said.
COMMITTEE FOR URDU:
On the occasion, the premier also constituted a five member cabinet committee to oversee the implementation of Supreme Court (SC)’s directions regarding the use of Urdu language for official business in government and semi government departments.
The committee will propose concrete steps besides taking necessary measures for promotion of Urdu in the official communication. It will be headed by Federal Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid and include Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister for Housing Akram Durrani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Affairs Irfan Siddiqui and Special Assistant for Cabinet Affairs Barrister Zafarullah.
The cabinet also considered and approved various agenda items placed before it which included MoUs with foreign countries in the field of aviation, climate change, commerce, defense, economic affairs, education, finance, foreign affairs, science and technology, water and power, board of investment, ports and shipping and information, broadcasting and national heritage.
Furthermore, the cabinet also offered ‘fateha’ for the victims of Attock suicide attack and paid tribute to martyred Punjab home minister Col (r) Shuja Khanzada.