ISLAMABAD, Oct 11: The sense of deprivation, injustice and powerlessness of people are the root causes of terrorism and the world commity has to work collectively to address these issues, so that peace and justice is done.

These views were expressed by Minister for Environment, Local Government, Labour and Overseas Pakistanis, Omar Asghar Khan while talking to a delegation of Nazim and councillors on Thursday.

The minister said, Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism just as the people of Kashmir and Palestine have been subjected to terrorism, violence and injustice.

The tragic happenings of the September 11, in Washington and New York were acts of terror, that need to be condemned in the strongest words, he said.

The people and government, the minister said, were not only anguished and pained at the recent happenings, since Pakistan enjoyed brotherly and historic ties with the people of Afghanistan, who had suffered heavily due to wars and conflicts for over two decades.

“We hope that the military action in Afghanistan will end soon with as well as an end to terrorist camps and activities, which not only have implications for the world at large but for Pakistan itself, since a number of terrorist groups operating in Pakistan, have been trained in Afghanistan”, the minister said.

He said that the return of peace, stability and normality to Afghanistan was essential for ending the miseries and suffering of the Afghan people, who must be given the right to form a broad-based democratic government, representing all sections of the Afghan society.

Mr Omar condemned the incidents of violence in some cities, where some anti-social elements and religious extremist organizations resorted to violence and damaged government and private property as well as that of non-governmental organizations.

Mr Khan said Islam was a religion of peace and tolerance. He said, “our endeavour is to work for peace both within the country and globally since violence and conflicts will only lead to sufferings and miseries for the vast majority of People.”