ISLAMABAD (APP) – Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Sunday said the national leadership has taken right direction to root out terrorism and extremism from the motherland with single mindedness.
In an interview to a TV channel, he said that after tragic incident of Peshawar, a significant change had appeared. In the past it was said that Pakistani state was confused and indecisive as far as the issue of tackling terrorism was concerned, but after the Peshawar tragedy the national consensus had been reached, altering the 35-year old mindset and approach within few days.
To a question, he said the services of armed forces have been acquired in the light of Constitution, law and civilian discipline. He said, this time the purview and scope of the special courts has been extended as in past they used to hold trial of the accused related to army offences, or attack on defence installations, now special courts are being constituted to try cases of terrorism.
He said that protection and security of its citizens was foremost responsibility of the state and the decision to form special courts has been taken by all stakeholders. Pervaiz said such courts will hold trial of terrorists who do not believe in democracy, constitution, parliament and wanted to change the country’s lifestyle by force. To a question, he said the civilian courts, as observed, had convicted very few hard-core criminals.
To another question, the minister said that most of suicide bombers were under 18 years and it was the need of the hour to hold their handlers accountable. He said several special courts would be constituted to try those who were involved in raising arms against the state.
The minister said that when some people give the impression that civilian dispensation was under pressure from the army, it sends a wrong signal at international level. National institutions he said were performing their role as per law and constitution.
To a query about Pervez Musharraf case,the minister said that the matter was sub judice and the government can not interfere in judicial matters, so law would take its own course.
He said the government neither wanted to save nor trap anyone,adding it would not take any step which may give the impression of revenge. Pervez Musharraf instead of fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities,usurped power unconstitutionally and was paying its price now, he added.
Replying to a question about Kargil issue, he said that the government has set its priorities and was fully focusing on issue of terrorism, energy crisis and economic revival as we have to compete with the world.
To a question he said that PEMRA has been trying to fulfil its duties, but it has to work under the legal parameters. It adopts legal way and issues show cause notices to violators of its rules and regulations.
He said media should also put its house in order by adopting a code of conduct for self censorship and regulations.
To a question, he said if the government takes action against some anchorperson for interviewing persons having sympathy with extremists, the impression would be given that it was attack on freedom of expression. Media should play its responsible role and strengthen government efforts in dealing with menace of terrorism,the minister said.
He said the mosque was centre of peace and if someone wants to use it as place of war and to spread hatred, strict action would be taken against him. Regarding the illegal money transfers, the minister emphasized on the need to first put our house in order and said that a working group is focusing on the issue and will propose laws and give recommendations in this connection.
He said that Prime Minister is enjoying cordial relations not only with Muslim world but with other world powers also, adding that Pakistan enjoys brotherly ties with Saudi Arabia.He said China will invest 46 billion dollars in Pakistan which speaks volumes of the country’s deeper ties with China. To a question, he said that none of the political parties owned any armed wing within its party.
The minister said that in coming months an action taken would be seen against the elements who spread hatred and try to divide the society on sectarian lines. About talks with PTI he said that as per law the function of election tribunals cannot be given to judicial commission, however the commission should be asked to probe the allegations of rigging levelled by the PTI chief. The Metro Bus project, he informed, would be completed by the end of January and it would be counted among those projects which were completed in a short span of time.
