ISLAMABAD: Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Monday said that Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies are committed to the defence of the country and reserve the right to take every necessary measure for self-defence and the protection of citizens, adding that decisive actions against terrorism will continue.
Speaking in the Upper House of Parliament (Senate) about the situation in Afghanistan and recent terrorist attacks, he referred to the suicide bombings in Bannu and Bajaur, in which officers and soldiers of the security forces embraced martyrdom. Citing the example of a martyred officer from Mansehra, he shared that the officer’s mother told the media that if her other sons were also in the army, she would be ready to sacrifice them for the nation as well. He added that the martyr’s young daughter also expressed pride in her father and declared him her ideal.
Chaudhry paid tribute to the families of the martyrs, saying the nation salutes their sacrifices. He affirmed that the blood of every Pakistani citizen and security personnel will be accounted for, and every inch of the beloved homeland will be defended.
The vowed that there would be no compromise on national security, and that no one would be allowed to weaken Pakistan’s defence. He said that the government is not oblivious to the protection of its people and territory, adding that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on February 21 carried out intelligence-based airstrikes in three provinces of Afghanistan to target safe hideouts of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Fitna al Khwarij terrorists.
He said that over 100 terrorists have been killed in the airstrikes. The minister said Pakistan had presented solid evidence of terrorism originating from Afghanistan to the Taliban government. Details of terrorist safe havens and training camps were also shared with Afghan authorities, he added.
However, he said that no serious effort was made by the Taliban government to dismantle these networks. “In negotiations, Rs10 billion was demanded from Pakistan to resettle terrorists on the other side,” he said, adding that Islamabad was not provided with any written guarantee ensuring that there would be no further infiltration into Pakistan.
He said that the airstrikes were carried out on the basis of intelligence, during which terrorist safe havens and training camps were successfully targeted. No action was taken against civilians during the strikes, he added.
He said that operations were being carried out against terrorists within the country. He further said that around 35 to 36 innocent people were martyred in a suicide attack at an Imambargah in Tarlai.
Armed forces officers and soldiers were also martyred in Bajaur and Bannu, he added. “We are carrying out funerals. Our soldiers are fighting to defend the country,” he said. After the occurrence of such tragic incidents, it was decided that a decisive response should be given to the terrorists. He went on to say that the “fabric of all terrorist incidents” in Pakistan originates from Afghanistan.
“Pakistan can no longer tolerate all this,” he said. The minister reiterated that the government still desires peace with Afghanistan and wants both countries to eliminate terrorism through mutual cooperation. However, he made it clear that if actions against Pakistan continue, the country will persist with measures under its right to self-defence.
He stated that elements who consider Pakistan weak must understand that the nation, its political leadership, and the armed forces are united. Citing the resolve of the prime minister and the military leadership, he said the struggle will continue until the complete eradication of terrorism.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Leader of Opposition in the House Allama Raja Nasir Abbas held out an assurance to the government that the opposition would not back any plot to topple it on the desire of any dictator.
He also maintained that despite the legitimacy of the latter was under question, the opposition would not be part of any conspiracy. “But the government should resolve the matter of eye ailment of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan,” he insisted.
He again emphasised that a parliamentary committee should be formed to meet the jailed ex-premier and examine his health condition. He referred to the opposition alliance’s recent sit-in at the Parliament House over Imran’s health issue, regretting that Parliament was shut down to block entry and exit of legislators only who were staging a “peaceful” protest.
“Is this not an insult to Parliament; no one even questioned the government and its ministers about these actions, whereas their only demand was that the PTI founder should be provided with treatment in the presence of his personal physicians and to the satisfaction of his family,” he contended.
Senator Nasir Abbas made it clear that Imran Khan neither wanted to come out from the jail nor his family has made such a demand; only he only sought a fair trial for him. He advocated the need to restore confidence of each other and called on the government not to transform this issue into a full crisis and move forward.
In response, Special Assistant to PM on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan spoke positive and said that the government was ready for a dialogue, which strengthened democracy, rather than confrontation and deadlock.
“We are ready to sit with you for the betterment of the country; the coalition government even had stressed for a dialogue when the PTI was in power. However, the PTI chief was not ready to talk to politicians and his stubbornness was a major hurdle in this way.”
Rana Sanaullah accused Imran Khan of hurling threats at politicians in the past and regretted his behaviour but continued that the government wanted the PTI to become part of Parliament by rejoining its standing committees. “Please support us to strength Charter of Democracy. But PTI is reluctant to become part of the political process,” he charged.
He pointed out also that the opposition leader was part of that committee which had refused to talk to the government on the direction of top leadership. He remarked, “You don’t want to talk to those who desire so, as the government is ready to move forward in a democratic way.”
Sanaullah again alleged that the opposition wanted a dialogue with those who did not want to talk to them, and indirectly referred to the public statements of PTI supremo that he only wanted to talk to the establishment.
As regards the jailed leader’s health, he said that the matter about his health was before the court and the government implemented its directions regarding his treatment and that even one eye specialist was included in the medical board on the request of the PTI that examined him.
Regarding cases against Imran Khan, the SAPM said the courts were the appropriate forum and could grant relief in accordance with the law. On the allegation of shutting down of Parliament, he said that the opposition had given a call to his workers to reach the protest venue, which prompted the police to make security arrangements.
The House will now meet again today (Tuesday) in the morning. Separately, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had received “credible reports” that overnight Pakistani airstrikes on February 21–22 killed at least 13 civilians and injured seven in the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province.
