PESHAWAR, March 7: Provincial Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that 98 per cent terrorists, arrested after hectic efforts and sacrifices of law enforcement agencies, are released by the courts owing to lack of evidence.

He appealed to the courts to award capital punishment to all arrested terrorists as they became more dangerous for society after release.

He was addressing the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of Peshawar Press Club in Chief Minister's House on Monday.

“The government and law enforcement agencies are fighting militancy in an organised manner but now it is up to judiciary to award exemplary punishment to terrorists arrested during operations,” the minister said.

He added that government increased the number of police personnel from 40,000 to 80,000 and also provided them with heavy weapons. He said that government was spending a huge amount on security to protect people of the province. He also appreciated role of media in the war against terrorism.

Mr Hussain said that restoration of peace in the region was possible if an effective strategy was devised jointly by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nato forces. “Otherwise, militancy will spread to different countries,” he added.

He said that unless those countries developed trust in each other and extended cooperation the danger of terrorism would exist not only on their soil but also in other regions.

Those countries were determined to uproot militancy but owing to mistrust among them the menace still exited in the region. “Terrorists have no religion, belief and nationality. Waziristan and some parts of Punjab are safe heaven of anti-state elements,” he added.

He said that owing to sacrifices of policemen in the war on terror, the provincial government increased Shuhada Package from Rs0.5 million to Rs3 million.

Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that all politicians, irrespective of their affiliation, and media should take unified stand against the people involved in terrorism otherwise history would not forgive them. He said that extremists and terrorists were exposed and every citizen knew them but it was need of the hour to devise effective strategy for development, stability and restoration of peace in the country.

Mr Hoti said that government was fighting a war of survival of the country and succeeded to great extent in hitting hard the anti-state elements. “Now the government has to focus on several other issues including uprooting poverty, improving sectors of health, tourism, water and education and provision of other facilities to masses,” he added.

Referring to the issues of Peshawar city, he said that government had approved several mega schemes including 500-bed hospital, bypasses, 11 overhead bridges and underpasses for the city but it could not carry out the projects owing to militancy-related problems.

The chief minister appreciated the role of media in the war against terrorism and said that journalists should support government to eliminate the menace once for all. He announced a onetime grant of Rs3 million for the press club.

PPC president Saiful Islam Saifi also spoke on the occasion.