ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif urged all political forces to unite against hostile elements as terrorists were targeting not sect or any particular segment of society but entire nation.

Speaking on point or order in National Assembly, he said internal differences were posing serious threats to our country, adding, “We must put our House in order first.” He said, “Soul searching and self-accountability has become imperative due to our own follies and blunders as seeds of terrorism were sown during dictatorial tenures.”

Country has already endured over 126 billion dollars economic losses and 83,000 people including, armed forces personnel, police officials and other martyred but world does not acknowledge our sacrifices. He said over 450,000 Afghans had been settled in Pakistan after crossing Pak-Afghan Border on valid document. They did not return to their country and had now occupied transport business in Pakistan, he added.

He said Afghan authorities had already committed in Doha agreement that their land would not be used against Pakistan.

He said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz brought country on path of progress, prosperity and peace in its tenure by eliminating terrorism from country. He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan for portraying negative picture of country.

Referring to the banned terror organisations, the defence minister said that the house (lower house of parliament) was told around two years ago that “these people” could be negotiated but any conclusive decision could not be made on the matter. He came down hard on Imran Khan-led government for its instance of dialogue with the proscribed outfits.

Stressing the need for national unity, the minister said that "we sowed the seeds of terrorism ourselves".

NSC to decide action against terrorism Emphasizing the need for developing national consensus for launching an anti-terror operation like Zarb-e-Azb — launched on June 15 in 2014 following a brazen attack on Karachi airport — the minister said that National Security Committee (NSC) would decide about the action against the terrorist organisations. He added that yesterday's Peshawar massacre was no less than the APS tragedy. “Massacre of people in the mosque neither happens in India nor in Israel,” he further said.

"We need to put our house in order," the federal minister said, adding, "It is not the war of any sect or class but the whole nation."

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 01 2023

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