BAHAWALPUR
The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association raised a voice against proposed military operation in Karachi and termed the idea against the national interests.
Handing over Karachi to the Army or targeted operations will not work unless the police and civilian intelligence agencies do their job, it said. Extortion and kidnapping for ransom have dented the investment climate which must be stopped, the meeting noted.
“Major business centres and leading entrepreneurs are the worse victims of extortionists,” observed the former military leaders in a meeting held PESA President Lt-Gen (r) Ali Kuli Khan in the chair. The former military leaders appreciated the federal government’s plans to take the nation into confidence over the issue of terrorism at an all parties’ conference. They also asked the rulers to announce a policy for dealing with terrorism in advance.
The meeting observed that the whole nation wants a quick end to the ongoing war on terror through peaceful means but it seems that the government could offer nothing to the Taliban except amnesty.
“The government must take the nation into confidence before accepting any demands of Taliban,” it was demanded.
The members expressed concern over employment of the Civil Armed Forces on police duties for prolonged duration, saying that the step was affecting their morale and resulting in week grip on borders and paving the way for smuggling of arms and ammunition as well as free movement of terrorists.
Instead of relying on CAF, the provinces should increase strength of their police departments and give them better training and arms. Vice Admiral (r) Ahmad Tasnim. Air Marshal (r) Masood Akhtar, Lt-Gen (r) Naeem Akbar, Brig (r) Mian Mahmud, Mr Salim Nawaz Gandapur, Brig (r) Simon Sharaf, Brig (r) Masudul Hassan and Major (r) Farouk Hamid Khan were also present.