Submitting its objections over a one-man judicial commission's report on the August 8, 2016 Quetta carnage, Federal Interior Ministry said on Friday that Pakistan Army, Ministry of Interior and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan have taken tangible measures to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.
The Supreme Court had appointed a one-man judicial commission of the apex court, comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa, in the matter. The commission in its report criticised the Ministry of Interior for its 'monumental' failure to combat terrorism and perform basic protocols.
The report further said the ministry was without a clear leadership and direction and was confused about its role in combating terrorism.
Besides, the report said, "the ministry's National Security Internal Policy is not being implemented as the officers of the ministry appear more interested in serving the minister than the people of Pakistan."
Filing a 64-page reply on behalf of the Interior Ministry, Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan raised several objections on the judicial commission's report.
He said the Interior Ministry and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during the last three years have diligently pursued measures for counterterrorism; however, he submitted that more work is required to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.
"It may, however, be appreciated that it is due to the untiring efforts of the ministry under the leadership of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan Army and other intelligence and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) that the incidents of terrorism have been reduced in the last three years," the reply said.
It has been mentioned in the reply that federal and provincial governments have so far spent Rs 4.6 billion as compensation to the victims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh, while Rs 1.06 billion have been spent as compensation for victims in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Makhdoom Ali Khan submitted that adverse observations and findings of the commission in respect of the Interior Ministry and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan are unnecessary and uncalled for as well as in violation of natural justice.
Terming the war against terrorism a national war which requires unity among all institutions of the state, he said that such remarks and observations not only deny fundamental rights to those affected, but also have an adverse effect on the morale of the persons involved in fighting terrorism.
Makhdoom Ali Khan prayed the apex court that all adverse remarks made in the Quetta Commission's report in respect of the Interior Ministry and the interior minister may be expunged.