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Economic, social reforms to root out terrorism
Senator Mian Raza Rabani (1st left) speaks during the seminar ‘Countering Talibanization-A Way Forward Stakeholders’ Forum’ at the National Library. ANP’s Afrasiyab Khatak (1st right) is also seen sitting on the stage. - APP photo
ISLAMABAD: Senator Raza Rabbani on Tuesday called for introducing economic, social and democratic reforms to root out terrorism and extremism, saying that the moral and political decline has harmed the society.
‘War on terror has also created problems in Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh,’ he said while speaking as chief guest at seminar on ‘Countering Talibanisation -- the way forward,’ organised by Aman Tehreek, a conglomerate of civil society and human rights organizations, at the National Library auditorium.
He regretted that the war on terror was being deliberately made a sectarian issue.
Senator Rabbani said that Talibanisation issue could not be resolved in isolation as it was a multi-dimensional and urged the international community to play its role in rooting out terrorism. He said that some foreign powers were interested in and eying energy resources of the region, and want to seize these resources for their benefit.
He said that it was a fact military solution was not the ultimate answer to the problem but the state had no other option after failure of Swat peace agreement.
Nizam-i-Adl agreement was signed as the people of Swat were demanding so, he said, adding that now the operation would continue till elimination of all militants.
Awami National Party leader Afrasiab Khattak said that the Taliban had captured a large part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and wanted to annex the NWFP.
He said that the provincial government with the consultation of the federal government had prepared a comprehensive strategy to repatriate the IDPs.
Mr Khattak called for steps to end the tendency of private Jihad, and proposed that judicial and social reforms should be introduced for this purpose.
He suggested that the country should review its foreign policy and improve its relations with the neighbouring countries.
Eminent scholar and peace activist Prof (Dr) Pervez Hoodbhoy said that it was very necessary to ponder over the causes of terrorism in the country and described poverty, ignorance and injustices in the society as some of the root causes for spreading of the menace of terrorism.
He also dispelled the notion that war against terror was a war of America, stating that it has destroyed the body fabric of our society and we were the worst victims of terrorism, and for our survival we have to fight the terrorists.
Pakhtoonkhaw Milli Awami Party leader Abdul Rahim Mandokhel stressed the need for pooling all resources for the rehabilitation of the IDPs as it was a gigantic task.
He called for formation of alliances against terrorism at all levels from the province to district to the village level.
PML-Q leader MNA Amir Muqam said that Swat and Malakand crisis has nothing to do with post-9/11 scenario. He suggested that all steps should be taken to establish the writ of the government in the region.
He said that MMA government in NWFP during the Musharraf era was also responsible for Talibanisation of Swat and adjoining areas as the MMA thought that these elements would support them in the elections.
National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson Anis Haroon and Prof Said Alam, founding member of Aman Tehreek, also spoke on the occasion.—APP
DAWN:Wednesday, 24 Jun, 2009
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