Joint efforts needed to counter terrorism: Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik on Sunday stressed the need to improve the deteriorating situation of the country before it was too late. “The federal and provincial governments should move ahead jointly with coordinated efforts against the menace of terrorism,” he told The News. Malik said there was also a need for immediate action on the challenge of birth of Daish in Pakistan.
Rehman Malik said the second visit of US President Barack Obama to India and skipping Pakistan was not a good message. “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone too far in enmity with Pakistan,” he added. The senator said Pakistan should expect worse from the Indian prime minister after the second visit of Obama to India. He said Afghanistan was playing its own games and also following the game plans of others against Pakistan. Rehman Malik said terrorism of “Zaliman”, anti-Pakistan al-Qaeda and birth of Daish is a real threat to Pakistan.
“Armed forces are rendering sacrifices in the war against terrorism but different segments of the society are still divided on the issue,” he added. On the arrest of Daish commander Yousaf Salfie, the PPP senator said lenient attitude was shown towards al-Qaeda due to which the Taliban turned into “Zaliman” and now Daish wants to strengthen itself to weaken Pakistan.
Supporting the action against Daish, Rehman Malik said there was a need for coordination among federal government and provincial governments to face the challenge. He said terrorist outfits always make their presence felt by creating an atmosphere of fear. He said forceful action was required against terrorists without coming into pressure.
He said Daish was turning into a big threat to the country’s security as it had made South Asia its new target after the Gulf States. To a question, the former minister said it is the responsibility of the politicians to improve the political situation and political matters should be resolved politically. He said political instability and economic crisis give rise to terrorist activities. He said continuous support to terrorists from Afghan borders and Indian prime minister’s attitude towards Pakistan are alarm bells for Pakistan.