PAT CWC expresses dismay on slow pace of implementation on National Action Plan

A meeting of PAT Central Working Council (CWC), which was held at the central secretariat on April 22, expressed its extreme dismay and disappointment on the slow pace of implementation on the National Action Plan against terrorism. The meeting noted that it has been more than four months since Peshawar tragedy happened, what to speak of elimination of defunct organizations, not even a certified list has been prepared so far.

It was further noted that the government has not been able to implement even a single clause of National Action Plan in respect of registration of seminaries, stopping the funding lines, preparation of uniform educational system and other reforms. The meeting opined that the government is giving terrorists an opportunity to regroup themselves and get powerful again due to its criminal negligence. It said that the nation’s apprehension has turned into a belief that terrorism cannot end as long as the present rulers stay in power. The meeting also condemned increase in load-shedding and the government’s intervention in local bodies elections in cantonment areas in violation of electoral laws.

The central Working Council meeting was attended by Dr RAheeq Abbasi, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Amir Koreja, Rana Idrees, Jawad Hamid, Sajid Bhatti, Haji Walayat Qaiser, Dr Tanvir Azam Sandhu, Haji Manzoor, Amjad Ali Shah, Allama Farhat Hussain Shah, Saeed Shah, Farah Naz, Mudasara Baloch, Sohail Raza, Shoaib Tahir, Irfan Yousaf and others.

The meeting welcomed the visit of the Chinese President to Pakistan and said that corruption and development process cannot go hand in hand. It asked the government to ink an agreement with China to eliminate corruption to the tune of Rs. 4000 billion per annum. It asked the Prime Minister to shift the capital of one thousand million pounds which was invested in property back to Pakistan. It expressed disappointment on non-provision of copy of judicial commission established to probe Model Town tragedy. It was also decided that medals and certificates will be distributed among the families of martyrs and those who were injured.

The CWC meeting criticized the wheat procurement policy of the Punjab government and said that the farmers of South Punjab have been compelled to sell their wheat at the rate of Rs. 1000 per ton due to criminal attitude of the government. It noted that the purchase of wheat has not been started despite persistent claims of the Punjab government. It demanded of the Punjab to increase the wheat procurement target from 4 million tons to 5 million tons besides buying the wheat directly from the small farmers. It further noted that irregularities are being committed at vast scale in distribution of bardana and the same is being distributed on the recommendation of the ruling party’s MNAs and MPAs. The meeting also took an exception to poor quality of bardana and demanded an inquiry into the scandal.

Speaking on the occasion, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that the Prime Minister is misleading the nation and parliament on the Yemen issue. He said that the government has dual policy, adding that it has one set of policy to give in parliament while different kinds of statements are issued from the closed door meetings. He said that it was the Minister of Defence who initiated debate on Yemen issue in Parliament but the same was wound up by the Finance Minister and it was the Punjab Chief Minister who led the delegation to Saudi Arabia. He said that when things seemed to get out of hand, the Prime Minister has made a dash to Saudi Arabia along with the Army Chief. He said that the COAS should have taken the issue in his hands right from the day one because the rulers do not have the competence and capacity to play any role in resolution of crises.

The meeting also discussed matters related to elections in cantonment boards and condemned the intervention of the government ministers and advisors in the electoral process in violation of electoral laws and code of conduct. It demanded of the Election Commission to take notice of these violations.