Islamabad:
The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday more than 90,000 people, including civilians, security personnel and law enforcement, lost their lives due to terrorism in the country.
Responding to a point of order raised by the Sunni Ittehad Mna Muhammad Iqbal Khan council, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said Pakistan paid a high price in the war against terror, both in terms of human life and economic losses, which have gathered in hundreds of dollars.
He pointed out that following terrorist attacks, the security forces and the law enforcement organizations pursued and relentlessly neutralized the authors to protect cities and communities.
Responding to concerns about the recent resurgence of terrorist activities, Dr. Tariq raised questions about the underlying causes behind the new wave of violence.
He expressed serious concerns about foreign interference, declaring that surveys indicate the involvement of proxy groups supported by the Indians operating in Pakistan. These groups, he said, are actively targeted and dismantled by the country’s security apparatus.
“The main engine of the current conflict with India is the presence of elements abroad. Our forces are engaged in a broader national effort to neutralize these threats,” he said.
Dr. Tariq reiterated the government’s commitment to the complete implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), stressing that it is applied to the national level.
He also underlined the role of the chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the APEX Committee, where decisions are made by consensus and the internestitutions coordination.
The Minister said that military operations and responsible for the application of laws are not arbitrary but are focused on intelligence, targeting areas where terrorists have established shelters and provide attacks.
“There is a strong unified demand from the people of Pakistan to eliminate terrorism in all its forms,” said the minister.
Afghan refugees
Parliamentary secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik informed the National Assembly that around 1.3 million Afghan refugees had so far been repatriated from Pakistan.
Answering a question raised by Mna Anjum Aqeel Khan during the National Assembly session, Malik said that around 3 million Afghan refugees resided in Pakistan. Among these, 813,000 held Afghan citizen cards (ECC), while 1.3 million had proof registration cards (POR).
He pointed out that, as part of the documents regime, Afghan nationals wishing to enter Pakistan for medical purposes, education or business are welcome, provided they get the appropriate visa and transport valid documentation.
Meanwhile, Shazia Marri, member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), congratulated the Pakistani armed forces for giving a strong and suitable response to Indian aggression, saying that it made the nation proud.
Speaking on an order point in the National Assembly, she said that Pakistani women were standing in the shoulder with the soldiers for the defense of the fatherland.
