- Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri suggests ways and means to counter terrorism
- Writes letter to COAS, DG ISI, DG MI, President, PM, governors, CMs, foreign and interior ministry
LAHORE: [23-Dec-2014] The Chairman of Pakistan Awami Tehreek Dr Tahirul Qadri has written a letter to the Chief of the Army Staff, the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence, the DG Military Intelligence, Joint Chief of the Staff Committee, the President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, all the chief ministers, governors, foreign ministry and interior ministry suggesting measures for the elimination and control of terrorism. The Letter has been released by PAT Central President Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi. The letter suggests different ways and measures to check the root cause of the rise of terrorism in the country and gives a clear guideline to end this menace once and for all. The letter says that it is high time that we all through collective measures check this rise as it is a danger for the very existence of the country. Giving suggestions Dr. Tahirul Qadri has said that
- The war against terrorism should be declared as ‘our war’ and a joint sitting
of Parliament should be convened to adopt a resolution announcing the ‘National
War on Terrorism’.
- The government should immediately make public the identities of terrorists
involved in terrorist activities for the last 12 years, together with other
relevant information such as their background, areas they belong to, etc. so
that the nation can identify their enemies who are hiding behind masks. An effective
anti-terrorism policy demands that the faces of terrorists masked when paraded
before media must be uncovered.
- Unambiguous and unequivocal legislation should be immediately carried out
for the elimination of terrorism. Abetting terrorists, extending to them cooperation,
support, facilitation and giving statements in their favour should be declared
a crime. The punishment for those involved in these activities should not be
less than life imprisonment.
- The roots of terrorism lie in sectarianism, extremism and takfiriyat— excommunicating
Muslims—declaring them apostates or disbelievers. A total ban should be imposed
on issuance of fatwas that declare others non-Muslims and strict punishments
be prescribed for takfiris—those who excommunicate any Muslim.
- The present anti-terrorism courts are being used for political purposes
and their judges are scared of terrorists. They should be replaced by military
courts. Cases should be completed in one week with another one week reserved
for appeals. Terrorists should be convicted and awarded punishments in 15 days
and they should be executed in letter and spirit.
- The curriculum of seminaries should be comprehensively revised and reformed.
There should be a uniform syllabus across the board so that the impression of
seminaries as a potential breeding ground for terrorism could be dispelled.
A board consisting of moderate scholars should be established to design curriculum.
There should be a blanket ban on the teaching of subjects other than the approved
ones.
- There should be an immediate ban on Madrassas and religious parties, organisations
and individuals from receiving foreign funding.
- Peace Education Centres need to be established in order to launch an awareness
campaign so that terrorists cannot brainwash or blackmail simple people.
- A ban should be placed upon all literature that spawns and promotes hatred,
sectarianism, militancy and terrorism.
- Special anti-terrorist courts, bodies, para-military forces and agencies
that are working on eliminating terrorism should be placed under direct control
of armed forces.
- The military should be better equipped to deal with the menace of terrorism
and its budget should be reasonably increased for the purpose.
- The government should set up special institutions/rehabilitation centres
to educate, nurture and take care of children and youngsters who have been orphaned
by terrorism, Drone attacks or operations against terrorism, in the tribal areas,
Balochistan, KPK and other areas. After their education is complete, they should
be provided with special grants and employment to enable them live as peaceful
citizens. Or they can end up in the hands of militants and become suicide bombers
or in the hands of sectarian institutions and become extremists.
- Poverty, economic inequality, unemployment, and oppression and exploitation
are such elements as play a supportive role in promoting terrorism and militancy.
Immediate but effective steps need to be taken for the economic development
of backward parts of the country particularly Northern areas, South Punjab and
tribal regions.
- The ban is placed on the names of defunct organizations but not on the work they do under fake names. All such parties and organizations with extremist ideology should be proscribed and disallowed to resurfacing under new names and guises. A piece of legislation is urgently needed on this score. An office bearer of any banned organization should not be allowed to setup another organization or party with a different name.
Central President PAT Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi said that Non-seriousness of Shareefs Government is evident from their latest act of taking back application for house arrest of Malik Ishaq, the leader of banned outfit and letting him free on an occasion when whole nation is demanding arrests of such elements. It proves that Shareefs Govt has sympathisers and supporters of extremists in its own lines.
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