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ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday said the terror threat in Pakistan required great vigilance on the part of each citizen as “the sympathisers and supporters of these terrorists live among us.”
Lambasting propaganda and justifications for the attack on the Peshawar school, Nisar said the Pakistan Army had never targeted women and children.
“The Pakistan Army is highly responsible and disciplined,” Nisar said.
“Even Osama bin laden’s family was sent back to their countries in a dignified manner,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference today, the interior minister said the people of Pakistan had been dealing with the threat of terrorism for many years now, but even greater unity was needed at this time.
“To fight terror, every Pakistani citizen has to play their part,’ said the interior minister.
He urged all citizens to be vigilant with regards to the terror threat.
“I welcome the strong condemnation of the terrorists by the country’s Ulema,” he said, adding that, in this environment, madressas must not become a hot bed of extremism”.
The interior minister did however claim that 90 per cent of madressas had no connection to terrorism, "based on intelligence reports received".
The interior minister also called on the media to play a responsible role, requesting that individuals who espouse hatred and bloodshed should not be given a platform to spread their message.
“This is exactly what these terrorists want, a medium for their hatred to be heard, the media must black out their message,” the interior minister pleaded.
Nisar also said that mobile phone SIMs play a very big role in terrorist attacks that are carried out.
“In the Peshawar attack, five SIMs were issued by a private company that helped to facilitate the attack.
"We will see what action can be taken and whether an FIR can be lodged against the company," he said.
The interior minister said that the fight against terrorism will be a long hard struggle.
“We must not let our guard down; this will be a long and difficult struggle,” he said.
“Don’t think of this as a game which will be over fairly shortly… Sri Lanka fought against terrorism for several years,” Nisar said.
“When you are in a state of war, difficulties have to be endured, we must be prepared for any eventuality,” the interior minister told the press conference.
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Comments (75) Closed
Dec 21, 2014 06:05pm
Honestly, every citizen should come forward and play its role in wiping out this widespread cancer. Remember they came for APS, your child school can be next who knows. May Allah bless us all.. Ameen
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Dec 21, 2014 06:11pm
So what are you doing about the 10% seminaries which are preaching extremisim and terrorism...maybe you will take things seriously when your loved ones become the victim of terrorism!!!
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Dec 21, 2014 06:12pm
Then do something about it. Don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:17pm
It seems you were one of the sympathizers just a few days ago. Hope this is a permanent change not just a political ploy,
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Dec 21, 2014 06:24pm
“To fight terror, every Pakistani citizen has to play their part,’ said the interior minister.
When a politician says that it only means he is out of ideas.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:24pm
And you are one of them.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:25pm
A very old arguments needed to be addressed long before, We should not react when something devastating happens but before the happenings. An ideal approach is pro-active approach as simple it is.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:30pm
Making silly statements that whole world already know about!!! Need actions, not just lip service! Alas!
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Dec 21, 2014 06:30pm
While we all must play our civic role also, it is more important that new laws should be enacted so that such elements do not go scot free. Extensive reforms needed to radicalize those 10% madrassas. Our govt priorities must change to give maximum resources to our LEAs, formation of special anti-terrorist force, revival of NACTA & NISP must be properly spelled out. Otherwise, like in the past, we will go back to sleep mode, only to be awaken by another tragic incident.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:31pm
Where has he been hiding last few weeks. Isn't he the one who was fuming when Mehsud was killed in drone attack. Yes sir, Taliban sympathisers are in our assemblies.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:34pm
Nawaz Sharif, CJ IMC, Shabaz and rest of PML N- yes the first sympathizers and supporters are people like you who negotiated with these TTP.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:42pm
90 per cent of madressas had no connection to terrorism so what about 10%?
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Dec 21, 2014 06:47pm
Nisar forgot to mention that most of these symphatisers in one way or another are within various politicial parties too. Get rid of them first Nisar and bring zero tolerance law who ever symphatises with terrorists. However, we need to get a clean judicial & fiarer system to try any of these symphatisers.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:50pm
So where is the Govt.? What role is government playing? There are politicians who have links or used terror outfits what is being done about that?
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Dec 21, 2014 06:51pm
Your Party on the top.
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Dec 21, 2014 06:56pm
Please notice how this guy is still scared of calling Taliban by name and still using the generic word of terrorists. Isn't he the one who wanted to play cricket with them? He is calling a committee meeting now, six months after the operation started to deal with terror. What a joke!
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Dec 21, 2014 06:59pm
you can start with LAL MASJID which is the centre of terrorism.
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Dec 21, 2014 07:03pm
Basically what he means is dont kill politicians we are innocent beings. This war on terror, Its between people and terrorists.
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Dec 21, 2014 07:03pm
Lal Masjid must be in government control.
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Dec 21, 2014 07:03pm
Mr. Nisar your job description requires action not advice. Please focus on your deliverables and make policy and arrests. Leave the sermons for the people outside the government.
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Dec 21, 2014 07:11pm
What do say about seminary of jameah Hifsa and Mullahs Abdul Aziz of Red Mosque right under your nose in islamabad. Clean the capital first and crack down other 10per cent in the first phase.
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Dec 21, 2014 07:14pm
Mr. Nisar why don't you go after them? what is your intelligence agencies doing ?
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Dec 21, 2014 07:15pm
Anyone who supported Zia ul Haque can be suspected!
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Dec 21, 2014 07:20pm
Why it so long for him to say this,.,,,what r u doing for other 10 percent
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Dec 21, 2014 07:39pm
It is wrong, misleading and at best ill informed to compare the Sri Lankan Tamil Jafna separtists to Talibans terrorism. Theirs was the struggle for a state for a recognized boundary while Talibans movement is a directionless brutal violence for a religious belief which justifies killing of innocent childern, women and everyone as legitimate. This has no ends.
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Dec 21, 2014 07:55pm
Mr NK 's stance on lal masjid today was very evasive. Please clarify your position and that of your party on the subject
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Dec 21, 2014 08:03pm
"Sympathisers, supporters of terrorists live among us". True but it took you 15 year to accept it. If you really have accepted this fact, we expect the state full fulfill its responsibility to crush all kind of hatred and terrorism. State must ensure safety, respect and equal opportunity for every single person living in the country.
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Dec 21, 2014 08:16pm
Pakistan get ready for more!! Committee start working
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Dec 21, 2014 08:18pm
Unfortunately, no political party from Punjab is currently representing the revulsion against Taliban... Such voices usually come from Sindh and ANP.... PTI, PML-N, PML-Q all are apologists
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Dec 21, 2014 08:23pm
He cleverly played spoonerisms with percentages. Perhaps 10 % may not preach violence.
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Dec 21, 2014 08:25pm
Is Ch. Nisar talking of Rana Sanaullah ?
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Dec 21, 2014 08:29pm
How about Lal Masjid cleric "under your nose". Is he and his so-called students not sympathisers of Taliban?
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Dec 21, 2014 08:53pm
Not only sympathisers, terrorists like Hafeez Sayed, Dawood Ibrahim live among you.
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Dec 21, 2014 09:37pm
We are waiting for a coherent plan Mr. Nisar your govt. is going to take to get rid of Taliban, their supporters and sympathizers. May be Prime Minister of Pakistan should address nation any time soon to lay his govt.'s plan.
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Dec 21, 2014 09:39pm
Let our leaders first retreat fully .only the they will feel the real impact. At the moment they are confused and talking advisers feed.
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Dec 21, 2014 09:52pm
Let us close those 90% good ones, then it will be so easy to find the 10% where terrorists are being prepared.
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Dec 21, 2014 09:53pm
Mashallah, Ch.Nisar is very intelligent minister. He is 180000000th person who came to conclude it.
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Dec 21, 2014 10:09pm
These politicians have a monopoly on hypocrisy.
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Dec 21, 2014 10:09pm
One should now ask Imran Khan who did he expect to talk to.
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Dec 21, 2014 10:17pm
This interior minister is a very incompetent person who can only talk and does not have the capability to plan anything. Our leaders will have to appoint people on merit to these important positions if we want to avoid all this bloodshed. He did not come up with any policy decisions or need to legislate tough actions against people
Like Maulana A. Aziz. Totally incompetent God help
Us
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Dec 21, 2014 10:21pm
Don't tell us what we already know. Tell us what do you plan to do
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Dec 21, 2014 10:55pm
Nisar has failed repeatedly in managing the interior ministry. I am amazed that he has not resigned. I am doubly amazed that the PM has not fired him
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Dec 21, 2014 11:11pm
PMLN, PPP - inept, shameless, corrupt, incompetent, useless, hypocrites...
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Dec 21, 2014 11:23pm
People should stay hyper vigilant so the Govt should go back to sleep as always.
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Dec 21, 2014 11:39pm
Five Sims were issued on single ID ( and I am sure person has no idea, his/her ID being used) by a private company, used to succeed a terror plot and you still " thinking" what can you do ?
Do we have any rule of law for these companies who do anything for money
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Dec 21, 2014 11:41pm
Arrest them, don't tell us, otherwise why are you there.
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Dec 21, 2014 11:46pm
Mr. Minister, have you heard of a country called Latvia? A small, third world country. The roof of a Supermarket (a private building) collapsed killing 54 people including some firefighters. Mr. Dombrovskis, took personal responsibility for this tragedy and resigned. More than 130 innocent children have been brutally murdered in Pakistan, where does the buck stop? Not one single soul has had the moral courage to resign!! Shame on this nation.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:03am
The Minister says: "...90 per cent of madressas had no connection to terrorism, based on intelligence reports...".
So 10% are connected with terrorism and we have a lot of madressas in this Country. This means: thousands young students! Most of them can be manipulated, also because most of them come from very poor families or have no other social support except their madressa.
How we are going to save them from the paws of killer-gangs operating in the name of Islam?
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Dec 22, 2014 12:11am
I admire this guy for giving us valuable information across the board, unanimously. he is so wise and disguised in statements one can hardly feel the difference whether he is member of our parliament or he still sits with school kids in kindergarten.... such is the variation and wisdom of his statements, always ....
he has the knack of making fun out of dire situations... as was evident during Ch Aitzaz speech in NA... and now this guy is telling us terrorists are living among us and just look at the canvas of press conference he used to tell us this information. my God what level of thinking our leaders are showing.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:16am
Seems like our so called leaders are now coming out of hibernation.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:33am
Ch Nisar, You and and your right wing government are one of the taliban apologists. Do we need to remind you of your close friend and CM Punjab's statements? I have no hope that the committee headed by you would come up with anything concrete, you egoistic thickhead who sits at home and don't show up to work when your feelings are hurt by another cabinet minister - you make Rehman Malik look good.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:35am
@zafar - PTI condemned all terror groups including Taliban by name but nation is yet to hear anything from sitting PML-N govt to say something specifically against Taliban, sympathisers? And which party sat for talks with Taliban? its PML-N.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:36am
I am starting to like this Chaudhary Nisar guy.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:51am
If you look at what's happening it is clear to see that finally the army has had enough and taken full control of the security situation and the dealings with the taliban. It was the PLM-N who thought these people would be OK to talk to. If we want to stop terrorism then taken down the hate preachers and those that spready lies and conspirciy theories.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:53am
Every citizen is to be on the lookout for himself/herself and for orhers everywhere we go as the terrorists will now only go for soft targets such as children and general public. The armed forces itself cannot do the job.
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Dec 22, 2014 01:24am
Only talk and no action, this is the name of our government.
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Dec 22, 2014 01:37am
why it took so long to say what we all know from very first day.
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Dec 22, 2014 01:51am
How about changing the law so that no live testimony about terrorism needs to be given by
someone, thereby jeopardizing their life or their families lives. That's a stupid law. There must be some witness protection!
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Dec 22, 2014 02:40am
why not do what is done in other civilized country .... Peshawar incident is failure of law & order both by federal and provincial govts and it falls under interior ministry so federal interior minister should have resigned and should resign now and provincial interior should resign too .... no excuses and no defending one party or other or no politics...... interior ministers take responsibility of failure to provide security to public and resign.....
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Dec 22, 2014 03:30am
@usman khan very true sir. You have summed it up perfectly.
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Dec 22, 2014 04:25am
Empty chants and big talks will never resolve this grave situation ordinary people are facing in Pakistan. It's time to take out sympathisers and terrorists openly and implement strict laws with heavy punishments for such barbarians. No lal masjid or any madrasah, fake maulvi or a bearded satan should be allowed to breed or exist in the streets of Pakistan. Regularisation of education and hierarchical system of educated and thoughtful religious scholars should be immediately done and system should be developed to allow positive and intelligent people to lead. Religious parties should be banned from politics. Those who defy these rules should be awarded severe punishments. This minster is just throwing words in the air. Hanging bunch of people is not the only solution.
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Dec 22, 2014 04:31am
Looks like panic has set in, the moment TTP announced they will target politician and army general's kids. So far they never bothered when TTP butchered Hazaras, Shias, Christians. Wish they had done this before butchering the innocent civilians children, then we would had a different set of rules.
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Dec 22, 2014 04:33am
Empty chants and big talks will never resolve this grave situation ordinary people are facing in Pakistan. It's time to take out sympathisers and terrorists openly and implement strict laws with heavy punishments for such barbarians. No lal masjid or any madrasah, fake maulvi or a bearded satan should be allowed to breed or exist in the streets of Pakistan. Regularisation of education and hierarchical system of educated and thoughtful religious scholars should be immediately done and system shou
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Dec 22, 2014 06:21am
The sign of true Leaders is that they are visionary and lead from front not react. Ch Nisar and the team should listen to their own speeches and decide who are terrorist and who were on the wrong side. Time is turning back on the terrorists In Sha Allah. O Allah please help Pakistan. Ameen
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Dec 22, 2014 06:54am
terrorism in Pakistan can be put to an end if all political parties are on the same page and let the army to go ahead against terrorist without any foreign/internal pressure.
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Dec 22, 2014 06:58am
Right you and your leader are among them also
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Dec 22, 2014 07:02am
The existence of blasphemy law in Pakistani constitution makes all Pakistanis as sympathizers of fanatics.
This law has no place in a civilized society.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:17am
Parliament should URGENTLY approve a law restricting electronic and print media from abstaining to give a space to the hatred elements including so-called spokesman of the terrorist outfits. The Law should also place a strict guidelines on the Breaking news related to aftermath of a terrorist attack.
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Dec 22, 2014 08:14am
Look who is talking, LOL
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Dec 22, 2014 08:21am
Dear Mr. Interior Minester,
In the light of recent events, I kindly request your resignation as Pakistani citizen for the betterment of our mother land.
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Dec 22, 2014 10:12am
I am sad to see that even after a tragic event of Peshawar we are still not taking it seriously. Now we need a holistic approach to dismantle terrorism in all shape and sizes. Unfortunately because of the our callous attitude towards the lawlessness we have many monsters on terrorism including Taliban,Political Militants, land Mafia, drug Mafia, Tanker Mafia, College and University Mafia etc. It is very unfortunate most of these are supported by the political parties and their own office bearers and workers are partners in these terrorist activities. Its a pity that same political parties are sitting in the meeting for preparing action plan against terrorism. This reminds me of a couplet of Mir:
Mir Kiya Sada Hein Beemar Huwey Jis Ke Sabab
Usi Attar Ke Londe Se Dawa Letey Hain
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Dec 22, 2014 11:04am
"The interior minister did however claim that 90 per cent of madressas had no connection to terrorism, "based on intelligence reports received". - Maybe the case, but the balance 10% are the biggest ones accounting for more than 80% in terms of enrolment and run by JuD the front organization and recruitment cell for all the terrorist organizations
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Dec 22, 2014 11:14am
That's right... including the Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman, who fathered a child from jail .... establishment should look at its own role also instead of putting everytyhing on public......
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Dec 22, 2014 12:46pm
Not only those 10% madressas , what about families that value these extremist thoughts ? Or parents who are unaware that they don't even know what actual teaching he is getting in Iʿtikāf ???Every parents must know their child activity ! Every Pakistani must play its role.
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Dec 23, 2014 06:37am
@Mohammad Ali khan
I completely agree with you.
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