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National Assembly panel suggests steps to curb terrorism bids

06 Aug, 2004

The National Assembly standing committee on interior has recommended a number of measures, including the increase in the strength of Islamabad police force to minimise chances of terrorism bids in the capital as well as to combat this menace effectively in the long-term.
National Assembly Committee Chairman Sardar Talib Nakai told a press briefing on Thursday that the Committee in its meeting unanimously condemned the 'recent wave of terrorist incidents' in the country.
"All members have been unanimous in their condemnation of terrorism, and I believe that no Muslim can carry out such dastardly acts as the terrorists have no religion, and they are enemies of peace and development", he noted.
He called for registration of all Deeni Madaris in the vicinity of the capital as well as registration of Afghan refugees, saying these steps would help maintain law and order.
Nakai said a parliamentary legislation in regard with registration of Deeni Madaris would be helpful, adding: "I am not suggesting that refugees or Deeni Madaris are involved in terrorism, but these steps would be helpful in the long-term."
The Committee, he said, also issued a call for ban on showing violence in films as part of strategy to counter the menace of terrorism effectively.
Terrorism, he said, has raised its ugly head in new forms - suicide bombings and explosion in vehicles, adding: "We have to stamp out the menace, and also look out for their financiers at this stage when we see light on the economic front, terrorists want to derail our country from the path of development and prosperity."
Interior Minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat also attended Thursday's meeting, which provided an in-depth briefing to the Committee on Islamabad Capital Territory and the Capital Development Authority.
Nakai said the National Assembly standing committee also took notice of the skyrocketing prices of plots in the capital, and recommended that a ban, imposed on the sale and purchase of land in villages of Islamabad, be lifted to lower the prices of plots.
Nakai, who visited the National Police Academy on Wednesday, said he had urged the police to be just in its dealing with the common man.
On water shortage facing the capital, the Committee asked the CDA to build small dams and channels to fulfil growing requirements, he said, adding the Committee directed the CDA officials to carry out a survey of underground water level before installing new tube-wells as a measure to meet water requirement.
He expressed his gratitude for co-operation from all members of the Committee. The Committee will receive briefing from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on Friday.

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