Is the government losing ground?
The PML (N) government continues to yield space to the army on account of inaction and ineptitude. Recently, the Punjab government refused to accept that there were any no-go-areas in the province. Their claim turned out to be false when the police failed to clear a riverine area in Rajanpur from the Chottu gang leaving ten police officials dead and several kidnapped by the criminals. Finally the provincial government had to call in the Rangers and the army. Speaking recently at a TV program, ISPR Chief Lt Gen Asim Bajwa said that initially there was a denial of no-go-areas, but now their existence as been confirmed. He promised that the army would help the police enter areas where it found difficulty in gaining access. Further, that the recently announced combing operations would be conducted in areas of the type.
Ch Nisar who is known more for day dreaming than for giving practical shape to plans has failed to make NACTA operational during the last three years. The creation of a rapid response force with helicopters at its disposal – first for Islamabad, then for the rest of the country – has turned out to be no more than a figment of imagination. Islamabad remains one of the most vulnerable cities due to the interior ministry’s negligence. Earlier this year the IS owned an attack conducted on the office of a TV network in the capital. Now, we hear of the security agencies and the Rangers having discovered plans by two neighbouring countries to target Islamabad.
Islamabad has consequently been put on high alert. Security for key buildings in the capital city has been tightened with the deployment of Rangers and police personnel in large numbers. Security pickets have been increased at various points of the capital city to keep an eye on the suspects. There is every likelihood, that the army could be called in if the police and Rangers are not seen to be capable of dealing with the threat.
