Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday, called for the formulation of a National Counter Terrorism Policy (NCTP) and establishment of a permanent institution to prevent terrorism.
In a statement issued by MQM here, Altaf Hussain has appealed to President, Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Members of the Federal Cabinet, Institutions of National Security and Chiefs of Armed Forces to immediately formulate a National Counter Terrorism Policy (NCTP) and establish a permanent institution to prevent terrorism.
Altaf Hussain said that the ongoing brutal, heinous and cowardly act of terrorism in the country has claimed the precious lives of innocent citizens and security personnel- and even innocent children are being targeted. He said that other national departments and institutions have formulated their respective policies such as education policy, health policy, trade policy, economic and social policy and to tackle with natural disasters and calamity a National Disaster Management Policy.
However, it is unfortunate that everyday anti-state elements and terrorists are committing acts of terrorism throughout the country claiming lives of hundreds of innocent civilians, officers and personnel of law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies and armed forces but we don't have a clear policy and institution to deal with such acts of terrorism, he said.
He added, therefore, it is the need of the time and to deal with the increasing acts of terrorism that a National Counter Terrorism Policy (NCTP) is formulated and a permanent institution is established for the prevention of terrorism. Altaf Hussain was of the view that alongside dealing with anti-state elements, the government should also target on reduction in poverty, spread of education, provision of basic health facilities and employment and delivering good governance.
The personnel of armed forces and other law enforcement agencies are dedicatedly performing their duties to counter terrorism and sacrificing their lives but it is now essential that a policy is formulated that tackles this menace of terrorism and encourages inclusion of representatives from all walks of life.