-- National Action Plan approved to counter terrorism
-- APC agrees on 20-point declaration
-- 'Extraordinary situation warrants extraordinary measures'
-- In TV address, PM explains profundity of situation
Later, in a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said that after the Peshawar massacre a comprehensive action plan has been approved in consultation with all the political forces in a 10-hour-long meeting. "The days of the terrorists are numbered ...they would be given a befitting reply for causing the bloodshed of our innocent children," he said.
The Prime Minister, while reading out the agreed points at the APC, said that special trial courts headed by military personnel will be established through a constitutional amendment for a period of two years. He said that a special anti-terrorism force will be formed for all the provinces.
He said that the terrorists involved in heinous crimes in the past could not be prosecuted and, hence special trial courts are being established for speedy trial of terrorists. He said that it has been agreed that the banned outfits will not be allowed to operate under new rubrics. The APC agreed that the present extraordinary situation warrants extraordinary measures and that no armed group will be allowed in the country.
He said the government will take strict action against those spreading hatred through hate literature, newspapers and magazines. He said National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) will be made effective and functional and a comprehensive policy will be devised for registration of Afghan refugees. The APC agreed that sectarian groups will be dealt with strictly while the capacity-building of the law enforcement agencies would be strengthened.
He said that the government will not allow extremism in some areas of Punjab and other parts of the country. He said that there will be a ban on publicity of terrorism in both print and electronic media. He said the religious seminaries would be registered and rules and regulations will be chalked out to run these institutions.
The meeting also agreed that the ongoing operation in Karachi would be taken to its logical conclusion and the decisions on cases would be ensured in minimum possible time to provide justice. It is also agreed that immediate measures will be taken to prevent promotion of terrorism and extremism on internet and social media. The sources of funding terrorist organisations will be dealt with accordingly. He said that in the best national interest, Balochistan government is being given full empowerment. He said that immediate measures will be taken for the return of the North Waziristan IDPs and development programs will be undertaken in FATA.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan's territory will not be used against any other country, adding Pakistan also expects from others that they will not allow their lands to be used against us. He said that steps will be taken to accelerate the process of criminal justice in all the provinces for ensuring speedy justice. He said that as Prime Minister it is his responsibility to spearhead this war against terrorists, adding the tragic Peshawar incident has shaken the entire nation.
Earlier, addressing the APC, the Prime Minister urged the political leadership to take strong and decisive decisions to purge the country of terrorism. "The country is passing through an extraordinary situation which requires extraordinary steps," he said adding that history and the nation will never forgive us if we failed to rid the country of this menace. He said that all the political parties should demonstrate unity and discuss the concerns if they have any on any issue. "We are ready to address the concerns pertaining to the imminent legislation," he added.
Nawaz Sharif stated that the Zarb-e-Azb operation is successfully going on in North Waziristan and there is an urgent need to expand it to the entire country against those who want to destabilise Pakistan. He described the barbaric incident of Peshawar as an unprecedented ghastly act in the history of the world. He said the country has paid a heavy price both in terms of human losses and economy in the war on terror.
Briefing the APC, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif said that over 2,000 terrorists have been killed during the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb while as many as 190 army personnel have been martyred. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the APC that the National Action Plan Committee (NAPC) agreed to raise a force of 5,000 personnel to counter terrorism, adding the army would prepare and train the force, which will be deployed across the country-one thousand each in federal capital and the four provinces. He said there is a consensus among the committee members that effective co-ordination among the civil-military leadership will be imperative to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country. He said the committee emphasised proactive efforts to check financial support to terrorists, and their communication networks. He said the members also underscored the need for updating the Red Book of the most wanted people on a regular basis.
Nisar said the committee called for ensuring that no banned organisation re-emerges under a new rubric. He said glorification of terrorists on media will be totally banned, and if a law required for ensuring this measure; "this would be done".
Talking to reporters after their meeting, PPP leaders including Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah, Rehman Malik and Qamar Zaman Kaira said all political parties supported establishment of the speedy trial courts within the parameters of the Constitution. According to Kaira, terrorists would be tried in these courts and these will not be used for political objectives, adding that setting up of speedy trial courts has been necessitated by the fact that normal judicial system has failed to deliver.
He said the committee headed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will monitor implementation of the National Action Plan. Earlier, PPP Senator Aitzaz Ahsan sounded a little more cautious about the establishment of military courts, saying PPP is for speedy punishments for terrorists and if the draft legislation on military courts is shared with the party, they can work out a way out within the ambit of Constitution and law.
However, the PPP later floated the idea of 'special trial courts' headed by military officers. The decision came after Aitzaz talked to PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and announced his support. PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said a firm national resolve has sent a clear message to terrorists, adding that there should be proper planning and timelines for implementation of the agreed points. He said the political leadership has tried to come up to the expectations of the nation.
PTI chairman Imran Khan announced his conditional support for special courts, adding that these courts should try terrorists within a specific time-frame. According to PTI leader Arif Alvi, the party chief Imran khan demanded speedy trial courts within the ambit of constitution and that all the participants agreed to change laws if needed.
PML-Q, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), National Party, PML-Q-Zia had earlier backed the idea of establishing military courts. However, they later agreed on the establishment of special trial courts. PML-Q's secretary-general Mushahid Hussain Syed announced his party's support to the establishment of special courts.
QWP chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao also backed the idea of special courts in view of "extraordinary circumstances". National Party president Senator Hasil Bizenjo endorsed the decision, saying, "we have to fight the mindset and if we stop now, we will fail forever. If we lose, the next rulers will be Taliban."
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that his party will support military courts if they are supported by legal and constitutional experts of all parties. ANP's Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, after consulting his party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, also backed the formation of special trial courts.
PML-Zia leader Ejazul Haq said that military courts were the only solution to curbing terrorism and endorsed the decision to establish military courts to conduct trial of terrorists. However, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was opposing the establishment of the military courts. It argued that setting up military courts will tantamount to abject failure of the civilian government.
Party chief Altaf Hussain in a telephonic press conference stated that martial law should be imposed for a period of two years instead of setting up military courts. However, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar later successfully persuaded Altaf who, too, announced his party's support to special courts. MQM leader Farooq Sattar told media persons that the civil and military leaderships have addressed the party's reservations, adding the party would also play its part towards the legislation process in this regard.