Challenges to State writ will be crushed!

• Nisar says govt has finalized regulatory policy for INGOs, local NGOs, will continue to register madrassas
• PM stresses implementation of all points of National Action Plan
• Sindh CM asks Center to ensure FIA, NAB limit their role in Sindh

Following a meeting of the apex committee held at the Prime Minister’s House to review the progress of the National Action Plan (NAP), Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced on Thursday that those challenging the writ of the government will be crushed.

“It was unanimously decided during the meeting of the country’s top civil-military leadership that elements challenging the writ of the state would be eliminated,” Nisar said during a press conference after the apex committee’s meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House.

The minister said that it has been decided that there will be zero tolerance for hate speech and hate inciting literature.

“There will be no tolerance for calling each other infidel or liable to be killed,” he said. “There is a very thin line between sectarianism and terrorism. They both go hand-in-hand.”

About madrassas, the interior minister said the process of their registration would continue with consultation of their leadership.

“They will first meet with federal secretary interior and then the provincial leadership,” he said, adding that clerics should portray the narrative of Islam and Pakistan rather of those who kill the innocent.

He said a joint strategy would be adopted by the federal and the provincial governments to deal with several issues – including NGOs, arms licences, security companies and sectarianism.

“It is the duty of the federal government to keep an eye on international NGOs, and regulate them while at the same time, the provincial governments are also required to regulate the local NGOs,” the interior minister maintained. He said the Interior Ministry had prepared a regulatory policy for NGOs in a record time of just 2.5 months after the prime minister had announced the government’s decision to regulate the NGOs in June 2015.

“We will issue the policy soon after sharing it with provinces to help them formulate a similar policy document to regulate local NGOs.”

He, however, clarified that regulation on NGOs does not mean putting a ban on any of the good work being done by them in the country.

On the issue of arms licences, the interior minister said the federal government will introduce a fresh policy for renewing the old arms licences and those who do not get their licences renewed will be cancelled.

Meanwhile, law enforcers were directed to start a campaign to purge the country of illegal weapons.

Nisar said that over 0.5 million weapons were confiscated by law enforcers during an on-going crackdown against those holding illegal weapons.

The minister said the meeting expressed satisfaction over progress in implementation on 15 points of the National Action Plan (NAP). He said the meeting decided to bring momentum in implementation on the other five points relating to different areas, including Afghan refugees.

Earlier, the interior minister chaired the opening session of the meeting. It discussed matters pertaining to religious seminaries, non-governmental organizations and progress made under the NAP.

The meeting acknowledged successes achieved against terrorism with the support of the nation and media, and the joint efforts of government institutions.

PM STRESSES JOINT APPROACH:

Earlier, addressing the meeting of the apex committee, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for implementing all points of the NAP with a joint approach to eliminate terrorism.

He said that all state institutions will have to remain on same page to expedite activities against terrorists and corrupt elements.

He said “collective wisdom” must prevail while taking decisions for making a total success all points of the national action plan. He said all agencies will have to remain vigilant besides improving their capacity to overcome the menace of terrorism.

He said NAP was approved by the political and military leadership with consensus in the light of 21st constitutional amendment and the decisions taken in All Parties Conferences.

The prime minister termed Thursday’s meeting as very important regarding elimination of terrorism and directed to take result oriented measures.

The meeting was attended by the provincial governors, chief ministers, AJK Prime Minister Abdul Majeed, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, heads of intelligence agencies and NADRA chairman.

SHAH MAKES HIS POINT:

According to a news channel, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah expressed his government’s reservations over actions by federal institutions in Sindh. He demanded the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to limit their role in Sindh and make their role transparent.

Shah urged the top civilian and military leadership of the country to stop the federal institutions from interfering in the provincial matters.

“I am the chief executive of the province and I am not apprised of anything. All actions must be brought to my attention prior to their execution,” he said. “NAB doesn’t take us in confidence on plea bargaining. We should know where the money received from these plea bargains goes,” the CM added.

According to sources, the prime minister has assured the Sindh CM that his “valid reservations will be removed”.