ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said the government needs to take up the issue of terrorism on a priority basis considering it a national emergency if it wants to revive the country’s economy.

In a statement issued here on Monday by JUI-F’s spokesman Jan Achakzai, the Maulana urged the PML-N government to prepare a comprehensive “national anti-terrorism strategy” because only the federation could take effective measures to restore peace.

The Maulana asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to consult his political allies on this national emergency because any further delay would exacerbate the security situation in the country.

“The impression of paralysis in decision-making on such a vital issue will disillusion the people and, therefore, the new government should come up with a proper strategy and present a clear roadmap for political and administrative measures,” he said, adding that restoration of peace should be the number-one priority of the government.

The JUI-F chief urged the government to seek suggestions and cooperation of civilian and non-civilian state institutions, including the army, and make them a part of the national strategy to deal with the menace of terrorism.

He said that both institutional and political measures should be made part of the policy.

The JUI-F chief was of the view that wheels of the economic engine had been jammed by terrorism.

“No investment will come to Pakistan and production capability will remain frozen if we fail to work for peace through a well-thought-out national strategy,” he said.

The Maulana said that if investment came only to the Punjab, it would not be a good omen for the future of the country as a whole.

“For how long we will keep burdening the middle and lower classes with direct and indirect taxes for budget financing,” he asked.

The Maulana observed that the people of Pakistan were getting impatient with every new wave of price hike due to short-term economic measures.

APP adds:

Meanwhile, Maulana Fazl called on former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Gilani House in Multan on Monday.

They discussed matters pertaining to kidnapping of Mr Gilani’s son Syed Ali Haidar Gilani.

Later, talking to newsmen, Maulana Fazl said he visited the Gilani House to express solidarity with the former prime minister and he would raise voice at all forums for the recovery of his son.

He said Pakistan was concerned over terrorist activities and decisions of parliament and recommendations of all parties conferences needed to be implemented.