Imran points to military ‘neglect’ as cause of increased terrorism

Former prime minister Imran Khan criticised the security forces and intelligence agencies in the country for their “negligence” and blamed them for the increasing incidents of terrorism.

Khan, who was interviewed by Voice of America, when asked about his government’s decision to negotiate with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) before its ouster in April of last year, defended his position and said he still stands by the decision to hold talks with the Afghanistan-based militant group.

The interview came amidst the central Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government’s criticism of the policies adopted by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to handle the group following the collapse of Kabul in August 2021.

“One of the reasons that terrorism has spiked in Pakistan is because, according to the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA), the time that was taken for negotiations with TTP was used by that group to reorganise. Those talks started when you were in power. Do you stand by your decision to greenlight those talks,” the interviewer, Sarah Zaman, asked.

“Well, firstly, what were the choices [the] Pakistani government faced once the Taliban took over and they decided the TTP, and we’re talking about 30 to 40,000 people, you know, the families included, once they decided to send them back to Pakistan? Should we have just lined them up and shot them, or should we have tried to work with them to resettle them,” Khan replied.

According to the former prime minister, the intention behind the talks was to secure resettlement with the cooperation of the security forces, politicians, and the TTP in the former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) region.

However, he said his government’s removal in a contentious confidence vote marred by allegations of military involvement caused the new government to take its eye off the situation, allowing the TTP to regroup.

The former premier also questioned the absence of the security forces and intelligence agencies during this regrouping and asked how his government could be held responsible for their negligence.

He emphasised the need for the agencies to be vigilant and proactive in tackling the issue of terrorism in the country.

Khan also discussed Pakistan’s approach to tackling terrorism and the importance of a strong relationship with the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

He highlighted the need for joint efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address the issue of terrorism, stating that another “war on terror” was not an option. He emphasised the importance of having a good relationship with the government in Kabul, as the two countries share a 2,500-kilometer border.

Khan also spoke about his past efforts to improve relations with former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari for not having made a single visit to Afghanistan.

Khan warned against repeating the events of 2005 to 2015, when Pakistan was grappling with terrorism along the Afghan border. He stressed the need to find a solution to the issue to prevent a similar outcome.

During his interview, Khan also weighed in on his relationship with retired Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as Pakistan’s army chief during his term in office. Khan praised the collaboration between his government and the military, observing it was instrumental in Pakistan’s success in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Muslim Hands hands over 20 houses to flood victims in Mastung, Jafarabad

ISLAMABAD: The Muslim Hands active in relief rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects in flood-hit areas of the country have handed over 20 houses to flood victims in Mastung and Jafarabad while the construction of around 200 other houses has entered the final stage Executive Director of Muslim Hands in Pakistan

Syed Javed Gilani told APP on Sunday that ‘Muslim Hands’ has successfully reached 1 million beneficiaries through its Emergency response in flood-affected regions across Pakistan during the past six months The organization perpetrated about USD 8 million for rescue relief and rehabilitation projects out of which USD 4 million have been spent/disbursed We are constructing hundreds of disaster resilience houses in Mastung, Jaferabad, and Badin out of which 90 percent has been entered in the final stage while more than 20 houses have already been handed over to the flood affectees” Gilani added He told that 222,928 people were provided with ready meals and food baskets 4 782 with winter kits, and 4,527 with other Non-Food Items In the health sector, 259 medical camps and 10 basic health centers were established where more than 120 000 people were provided with free check-up medicines and other health facilities apart from 2400 herbal medicine and 64 wheelchairs Syed Javed Gilani further informed that 4,902 people were provided with employment support which includes shops rickshaws agricultural equipment kits (fertilizers, seeds, tools), and other skill-based kits “We also provided temporary shelters to more than 33 000 people which includes tents, community centers, and shelter kits while clean drinking water facilities (bottles, wells, water pumps, filtration plant) have also been provided to 544 000 people ” he said

Syed Javed Gilani said that despite its own resources the Muslim Hands has also provided relief to millions of victims with the support of UNICEF, USAID, Concern Worldwide, and the Turkish Organization TIKA Gilani appreciated the great cooperation and efforts of the Government of Pakistan, NDMA, PDMAs, and other stakeholders and donors during the relief operations in the flood-affected areas S TA F F R E P O RT

IESCO notifies power suspension programme

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) on Sunday issued a power suspension programme for Monday for various areas of its region due to necessary maintenance and routine development work According to IESCO Spokesman the power supply of different feeders and grid stations would remain suspended for the period from 09:00 AM to 02:00 PM, Islamabad Circle Abpara, Mahfooz Shaheed G-8/1 Iqbal Town Khanna Dak Lahtrar Road, Khanna East, Kirpa, F-10/4, I-8/2, G-10 Markaz, Police Line, SCHS, NIH, AQ Khan, Kuldna, Beirut, Nimbal, TDCP PAF Mangyal Suhdran Road Anguri NCP Mangyal , Shahdara, Shahpur, Khia Bin Iqbal, Pir Suhawah, Quaid-e-Azam University, Punjab House, Bari Imam, Mandla Hathal Feeders Rawalpindi Cantt Circle Bank Road-2, Jahangir Road, Rahmatabad-2, Swan Garden-2, Morgah, Topi Pump , KH Road, Dhoke Noor, Kohala, Qureshiabad Dhok Awan Chowk Pindori Nar Kambili Sadiq, Ghazan Khan, Nara Mattur, Mandra, Industrial, Bahr-e-Kalal, Syed Kasran, Bhal, Khasala, Islamabad Feed Mill Jhata Hatial Pind Jatla Lab 1&2 Reliance Weaving Mill, Bhal, Jarrar Camp Feeders, Rawalpindi City Circle, Commercial Centre, Faizabad, Muzamal Town, Al Noor Colony Muslim Town Tahmasamabad Arya Mahalla Fawara Chowk, Jamia Masjid, Gawalmandi, Mangtal, Dhok Najo, Bani Tench Bhata, Zeeshan Colony, Officers Colony, Shams Colony Golra Pind Hoon Bibi Shaheed Feeders Attock Circle and other areas