The opposition senators in Senate on Monday regretted that the government neither moved an inch ahead over implementation on National Internal Security Policy (NISP) nor it presented it in parliament to have a debate. The government announced NISP in March 2014 but it was not properly presented in the Parliament. After the passage of ten months of the above policy, it presents non-serious attitude of the government over internal security of country.
The discussions over NISP started when PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar presented a motion in which he wanted that the House may discuss the National International Security Policy (NISP 2014-18) of the government. Under the NISP, the government made some tall claims but not a single one was fulfilled. Main features of the policy were de-radicalisation, national narrative over militancy, seminary reform and to bring 30 intelligence agencies under one Civilian Directorate and what not.
Babar questioned that how the government would bring the ISI (inter services intelligence), a military intelligence agency, under civilian control. "Soon after the NISP policy, the government initiated Zarb-e- Azb, 21st Amendment made for establishment of military courts, but no progress over implementation of NISP to date," he regretted. He continued that there are distortions in external policy because the government is still protecting some groups, the banned organisation resurfacing with another name but no action was taken.
"Such polices created doubts in government intension to fight the war against terrorism and the growing militancy in the country despite full support of all political parties," he observed. Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Zahid Khan claimed that the government has adopted double standards. He said that radical Jamaat-i-Islami is meeting banned militant organisation openly but government is acting like a silent spectator.
He said that all banned militant organisations have their tentacle in Punjab but the government totally denied their existence, a province where ruling PML-N rules for the last so many years. Zahid Khan said that the incumbent government was running like a kingdom and follow late General Ziaul Haq's policies, adding the direction regarding war against terror is not clear. "You won't get any better opportunity than this, correct your direction, respect the mandate of people or go home," he maintained.
Kamil Ali Agha of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) went a step ahead in endorsing Zahid Khan's claim, saying the militant outfits are meeting government ministers and they are being assured of no action. He said that the government totally failed to implement the 20 points agenda over which all political parties agreed after Army Public School Peshawar massacre. "No implementation over military courts' despite assurance of full support from all political rather they the government supports banned organisation in Punjab," he added.
However, State Minister for Interior Balighur Rehman denied the allegations and apprised the house that several measures were taken to implement all the recommendations. After 9/11, every country made international security policy except Pakistan. However, the credit goes to current government who formed first ever internal security policy. Under NISP, negotiation made with terrorists in first step, when it failed then began elimination strategy.
Capacity building of all forces in progress, special training on explosive completed, prosecution strengthen, cyber crime bill presented in the national assembly, anti money laundering law passed, 21st Amend done, bring changes in Army Act, Madrassahs registration in progress, SIMs verification in progress and from January 2015, intelligence sharing was also actively pursuing.
The minister claimed that the government has taken several measures to improve international security and wipe out terrorism from the country. However, he also accepted that there are rooms for improvement always in every law. Earlier, Senator Abdul Qayyum Somroo condemned the Shikarpur bomb blast incident and declared it barbaric act. He said that terrorists have no link with any religion adding that Shikarpur is the city of saints and people of this city are very peaceful.
Qayyum Somroo said: "War against terror is our own war and we have to win it". He stressed all stakeholders to come forward for the elimination of terrorism. The parliament has passed several recommendations, laws for elimination of terrorism, but regretted that it all has no result.
Leader of the House Raja Zafar-ul-Haq strongly condemned the Shikarpur blast incident and showed deep grief and sorrow. He said the whole nation is in deep grief over the loss of precious lives in Shikarpur. He condemned the incident and said the nation is on one page for the elimination of terrorism. The House also referred a bill, 'The Torture and Custodial Death (Punishment) Bill, 2014', moved by bills Farooq H Naek to concerned committee. Two other bills of Senator Farah Aqil Shah and Muhammad Talha Mehmood also sent to respective committees for consideration.
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