April 15, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1428

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PESHAWAR, April 14: Extremism is a real threat for Pakistani society and people in general and religious parties in particular must speak out against terrorism and forcefully counter extremist forces.

This was the consensus at a consultative workshop that was jointly organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Sustainable Development Policy Institute here on Saturday.

Terming the rising Talibanisation a ‘myopic game’ played by security agencies and extremist groups, several participants said that people should join hands against the growing trend of extremism.

Kamran Arif, representing HRCP, highlighted the state of civil and political rights in the province and Fata. He said that ruling class did not do anything to change ‘status quo’ in the tribal area.

He said that under the 1973 Constitution, tribesmen had been granted civil and political rights but these fundamental rights had not been implemented, because the High Court had no access to the region. He said that government should strictly enforce political and civil rights and extend the High Court’s jurisdiction in tribal areas.

Painting a bleak picture of the state of security in the NWFP and tribal areas, Mr Arif said that situation in settled areas of the NWFP was also not satisfactory and extremist elements were increasing their influence day by day.

He said that extremists were curbing free will and civil liberties, especially by attacking music centres, banning festivities at mariage functions and committing suicide attacks. He said that one tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan District was virtually under the control of the Taliban, while militants had almost taken over Tank district.

A tribesman from South Waziristan Agency narrated his ordeal at the hands of security forces and militants and said that security agencies were patronising militant outfits in tribal areas.