Islamabad:
The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday over 90,000 people, including civilian, security staff and law enforcement authorities, lost their lives due to terrorism in the country.
In response to an order raised by Sunni Intehad Council Mna Muhammad Iqbal Khan, federal minister of parliamentary affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry that Pakistan has paid a steep price in the war on terror, both in terms of human life and financial losses that run into hundreds of billions of dollars.
He emphasized that security forces and law enforcement agencies in the wake of terrorist attacks have been pursued by the perpetrators to protect cities and communities relentlessly.
Dr. Tariq, who dealt with concerns about the recent revival of terrorist activities, raised questions about the underlying causes behind the new wave of violence.
He expressed serious concerns about foreign interference and said studies indicate the involvement of Indian supported proxy groups operating in Pakistan. These groups, he said, are actively targeted and dismantled by the country’s security apparatus.
“Kerne driving force for the ongoing conflict with India is the presence of the foreign sponsored elements. Our forces are engaged in a broader national effort to neutralize such threats,” he said.
Dr. Tariq repeated the government’s obligation to the full implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and emphasized that it is enforced nationwide.
He also highlighted the role of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister of the Apex Committee, where decisions are made through consensus and coordination between agencies.
The Minister clarified that military and law enforcement operations are not arbitrary, but are intelligence -driven, targeted areas where terrorists have established safe ports and planning attacks.
“There is a strong, overall demand from the population of Pakistan to eliminate terrorism in all its forms,” the minister said.
Afghan refugees
Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik informed the National Assembly that approx. 1.3 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan so far.
In response to a question raised by MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan during the National Assembly Session, Malik declared that about 3 million Afghan refugees were a resident of Pakistan. Of these, 813,000 Afghan Citizen Cards (ECC) held, while 1.3 million had proof of registration card (por).
He emphasized that Afghan citizens under the one documents who wish to enter Pakistan for medical treatment, education or business purposes are welcome, provided they get the appropriate visa and have valid documentation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) praised Member Shazia Marri the Pakistani armed forces for giving a strong and appropriate answer to Indian aggression and said it has made the nation proud.
When she talked about an order point in the National Assembly, she said Pakistani women stand shoulder to shoulder with the military in the defense of the motherland.
