Pakistan: PPP asks govt to form policy on Taliban

In the backdrop of the killing of two colonel rank officers by the TTP, the PPP-led opposition senators on Friday demanded the government come out “from the state of flux” and announce its policy against the Taliban.

Condemning the killing, the PPP stalwart Senator Mian Raza Rabbani on a point of order told the Upper House of parliament that TTP openly target forces and civilian in different parts of the country but there is complete silence on part of government to give its clear cut policy on Taliban. Such attacks on forces have direct impact on Pakistan’s arm forces and its foreign policy. In such unclear circumstance, we are unaware whether the government stop peace talks with Taliban and also any plan to initiate action against them.

Rabbani termed bsence of intelligence sharing among institutions is responsible for such heavy loss to arm forces. He suggested the government to strengthen NECTA, which could not perform properly due to frequent change in its attachment with different federal ministries. The National Crises Cell has also not works properly and asked the government re-activate these institutions. ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak draws the attention of legislators towards complete lawlessness in FATA and continues war and killing of people there. Dying of people is become routine of every day and exact figures of killing was also not reported. Sudan like situation are there but there is complete failure of government to take appropriate measure and control such situation. A few days ago, a tribal leader Malik Qadir Khan was killed, who true patriotic Pakistani, but no action was taken. About 0.5 million tribal Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were living in miserable conditions and there is no proper forum for FATA, where voice may be raised to address these issues. Pro-government Taliban leader Bul Bahader is also hinting for broken the peace agreement with government.

Khattak questioned, who brought these foreign terrorists to tribal areas, are FATA people invited them, definitely no, but it was wrong Afghan polices on part of government. The government should announce clear cut policy on part of government to stop killing and steps to be taken for the local development in FATA. Responding the quarries of opposition, Leader of House Raja Zafarul Haq told the house that the government has crystal clear policy against Taliban, which was decided during All Parties Conference (APC) including holding peace talks to those who are ready for it.

The state will use its power against those militants who wanted to continue their destructive activities. There are several groups in TTP, and each one has its own area of control. He also claimed that the drone attacks completely stopped, as it was announced by the US government after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visit to US, who raise this issue. About FATA, leader of the house said the government has announced reforms, which include a set of package for FATA development, security and others matters. Senator Haji Adeel told the senators that the KP government asked the traffic officials to wear bullet proof jackets while performing their duties. Such orders reveal gravity of the worsening law and order situation in Peshawar. At evening, he said no one is in a position to come out from their house. The PTI leaders called Taliban as their brothers and that is why police could not take action against them. Lahore and Islamabad is not only Pakistan but Peshawar and Quetta also part of it and suggested the federal government to take appropriate measures to improve law and order situation there. The JUI-F Senator Haji Ghulam Ali claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is totally paralized by Bani Gala Islamabad.

Abdur Rauf, Robina Irafan raised the prolong power load shedding and outrage of Balochistan people. They also regretted over withdrawing subsidy on agriculture tube wells, which according to them was the main source of livelihood. They demanded to restore subsidy on Balochista tube wells. ANP Senator Shahi Syed drew the attention towards Karachi uncertainty after arresting MQM leader Altaf Hussain in London. He apprehended that the government may take appropriate measures to avoid any future mis-happening in Karachi if the Altaf Hussain case complicated. The legislators in Senate decided to initiate budget debate from Monday.