Arguing that only attending a conference cannot solve the problem, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur attacked the top civil-military huddle deciding to fight terrorism.
The KP chief minister claimed in an interview with a local TV station that if terrorism could be eradicated just with a communiqué or presentation, it would have been ended – by now.
He proposed setting up a small committee to create a plan for wiping out terrorism from the nation.
His remarks come a day after the PCNS underlined the necessity of unity and political dedication to eradicate the threat of terrorism with the whole strength of the state.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, members of the parliamentary committee, political leaders, the army chief, Director Generals of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), important federal ministers and senior officials from the military and intelligence agencies attended the committee meeting, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Especially, PTI’s Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Akhtar Mengal chose to avoid the meeting called on prime minister’s recommendation following the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir addressed the huddle stressing the need of improved governance and turning Pakistan into a “hard state,” challenging how long the country would be able to sustain countless sacrifices in the name of a “soft state.”
Regarding the increase in terror events in Balochistan and KP in today’s interview, CM Gandapur stated the PTI-led government would not allow any operation in the province, come what may.
“Operations have been conducted before, but they have not been beneficial; instead, they have caused harm; KP CM remarked.”
But he claimed that intelligence-based operations (IBO) have been carried out in any city and could be done in any one.
“Merely killing terrorists is not the solution; we must also engage with the country providing them refuge,” added Gandapur.
“Cordial link with COAS,”
Gandapur inquired of PML-N leaders Talal Chaudhry and Khawaja Asif, “Is there anything wrong with maintaining ties with the army?”
Gandapur added that he was compelled to follow the directions of PTI founder Imran Khan and not of any vlogger; “My father was a soldier; it hurts when someone criticises the army”.
He stated some people were disseminating false narratives as though he were not a PTI or Pakistan well-wisher, without mentioning anyone.
Responding to a query, the KP CM claimed his interactions with Army Chief General Asim Munir were friendly. “We disagree, meanwhile, with raids on people’s homes, torture, and disappearances,” he said.
