ISLAMABAD, Jan 20 (APP): Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry told the National Assembly on Tuesday that all security operations being carried out across the country were strictly in line with the unanimously agreed National Action Plan (NAP) and were being conducted in close coordination with provincial governments and relevant institutions.
Speaking in the House, he recalled that the NAP was first formulated in 2014-15 and later reinforced under NAP-II, adding that all political parties and provincial governments had reached a consensus on the framework.
He said intelligence-based operations were being conducted daily with the support of provincial authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Referring to ongoing operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the erstwhile tribal areas, the minister said the provincial government was on board and that consultations had been held with district administrations, tribal elders, local leadership and provincial authorities before launching the operations.
He added that the KP cabinet had approved a Rs5 billion package for the rehabilitation of affected areas.
Talal Chaudhry cautioned against creating ambiguity about the NAP, saying such narratives could only benefit terrorist elements.
He said there could be no sympathy for those who targeted innocent civilians, including women and children, and attacked markets, mosques and educational institutions.
The minister questioned why key counter-terrorism measures, including Safe City projects, forensic laboratories and a fully functional Counter Terrorism Department, had not been established in KP despite the province facing the highest level of terrorist threats.
He noted that the province had been governed by the same political party for the past 14 years.
He said the fight against terrorism was a matter of national survival and should not be used for political point-scoring.
Referring to recent political developments, he said the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, had pledged support on matters of national interest, and expressed hope that such commitment would extend to counter-terrorism efforts as well.
Talal Chaudhry also recalled that an in-camera session of the House on terrorism had been held in which some political parties did not participate.
He said that after the appointment of a new chief minister in KP, the prime minister had convened a meeting of chief ministers on counter-terrorism, but the KP chief minister did not attend.
He maintained that the ongoing operations had been launched only after approval by the provincial cabinet and through consultative forums, and questioned why political objections were being raised later.
Lamenting the continued loss of security personnel, the minister said officers were laying down their lives due to governance failures and their sacrifices must not be allowed to go in vain.
He said the government was open to dialogue and constructive proposals but made it clear that no counter-terrorism action would be halted for political considerations, adding that national security could not be compromised.