ISLAMABAD - State Minister for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warraich told the Upper House of the Parliament on Tuesday that war against terrorism cost heavily to Pakistan as its economy suffered a loss of 69 billion dollars in the war.
State minister on Interior was replying to a query asked by Senator Nisar Muhammad who asked Minister on Interior to inform the Upper House about the cost of losses suffered by the country during war against terrorism; and financial help received by the Government in this regard. The minister told the house that six terrorism-related were registered in 2008 seven in 2009, three in 2010 and two in 2010.
According to Minister there were reported 68 terrorism related incidents in Sindh province in which 128 people were killed. Likewise, 24 terrorism related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claimed life of 493 people. Government paid 108 million rupees to families of victims in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 372 million rupee to families of victims in Baluchistan province. Meanwhile Government of Punjab province did not reveal the information in this regards.
Minister of State for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warraich made it loud and clear that the loss occurred to the economy of the country due to reduction in the foreign investment‚ GDP growth and employment opportunities.
He told Senate during question hour that economy of Pakistan was badly affected due to the factors including damage of buildings‚ compensation paid to the victims of terrorism‚ settlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons and security measures and similar other factors.
Answering another query State Minister on Interior told the upper house on Tuesday that Islamabad capital territory police registered 145 cases of murder‚ kidnapping and dacoity in the 2 police stations of the city circle Islamabad during the last 5 years. He said 225 accused persons have been arrested in these cases and 21cases have been decided while the trial of the remaining is underway. Police submitted Challans of 71 cases in the Courts of competent jurisdiction whereas, 45 cases were cancelled and 14 cases were not traced.
State Minister Safdar Waraich also informed the house that police was still investigating fifteen (15) cases. Unveiling the reason for pending cases, State Minister for Interior Safdar Warraich said Incomplete bio-data/addresses of the accused persons and non availability of the “Forensic Laboratory / expert opinion were the factors in this regards.
It is pertinent to mention that the information was sought by Senator begum Najma Hameed. She asked the Interior Minister to tell the house about the number of cases of murder, kidnapping and dacoity registered in the police stations falling within the jurisdiction of City Circle, Islamabad, during the last five years. Lady senator also asked the Minister to unveil the number of persons arrested in the said cases; the number of the said cases challans of which have been submitted in the courts.