Mushahid says government's counter terrorism strategy proved a failure

Date : November 8, 2012

KARACHI. November 8. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said Thursday while addressing the media representatives at PML’s provincial headquarter that the serving government’s counter terrorism strategy has turned out to be a failure and the loopholes need to be addressed. He said the government needs to reconsider its policy of keeping Rangers in Karachi as the last 17 years of existence of this force in the city, has not changed or improved law and order situation. He urged there is a need to strengthen police force and liberate it of nepotism in the enhanced national interest. He expressed hope that the elections would be free and fair under the new Chief Election Commissioner. Mushahid Hussain Sayed said it was disclosed at the Defence Committee meeting that 8,500 perpetrators were detained for keeping of illegal weapons but no one was reproached due to political meddling. He said he, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and his committee members intend to produce a defence strategy policy document including recommendations on counter terrorism as well. He suggested three measures for maintaining affable relations with newly elected US government that include halting of drone attacks, holding dialogue on security issues and abstaining from war with neighboring countries. He asserted that today’s Pakistan is diverse and changed where media, independent judiciary, proactive civil society and others are dynamic power centers as compared to the past when we only had civil-military powers. He said that we should support our armed forces, and the institutions must not bear the consequences of the mistakes committed by a few individuals. Senator Mushahid commended the Supreme Court’s decision on Asghar Khan Case saying it had exposed all powerful people including head of Army, Intelligence and political bigwigs.