LAHORE: PML-Q senior leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said the Rangers operation should be conducted across Punjab and not some selective districts.

“The Punjab government will have to take action against its own minister who has a reputation of facilitator of militants. If the government is sincere in launching an operation in the province, all facilitators, including the provincial minister, should also be arrested to earn the trust of people,” he said at a press conference here on Monday.

“All opposition parties have been demanding indiscriminate operation against militants across the country, including Punjab. The government tries that the Rangers operation is launched in only four to five districts which will be a conspiracy to defame them (Rangers),” he said.

Mr Elahi blamed Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for creating hurdles in the operation in Punjab.

“For the last several years, Shahbaz neither allowed Rangers nor his government carried out an operation against militants that resulted in various terror acts in the province,” he said.

The former deputy prime minister said during the first two months of this year, 150 people fell prey to terrorism. Last year, around 900 and in 2015, at least 1,080 people lost their lives because of terror incidents.

“If timely operation had been launched in Punjab, Chotoo like gangs would have been nabbed,” he added.

Mr Elahi said if attackers of Sri Lankan team were arrested and punished forthwith it would have given a good message.

“Shahbaz is not concerned about people as he only takes interest in kickbacks from dollar-making projects,” he alleged.

He said the establishment of military courts had been delayed because of the government’s non-serious attitude. “Now this matter will be resolved,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017