LAHORE: Almost all segments of society have welcomed the National Action Plan adopted with a consensus by the political leadership to rid the country of the scourge of terrorism.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says he hopes the bold decisions taken by the national leadership will result in elimination of the menace on a permanent basis.

He says terrorists and extremists will be given a crushing defeat with the force of national unity and solidarity as implementation of the decisions taken with mutual consultation and consensus will yield excellent results.

He terms the political consensus a historic step in accordance with the aspirations and expectations of the nation.

JuD: The Jamaatud Dawah has welcomed the decisions of the national parliamentary committee seeking stricter punishment for the killers of innocent children and Muslims.

Party emir Hafiz Muhammad Saeed says the steps being taken by the political and military leadership in the wake of the Peshawar tragedy are very much essential for the eradication of terrorism.

He, however, demands that measures should be on a long-term basis instead of temporary and those spilling blood of innocent citizens must be given the strictest possible punishment.

He has also urged upon religious leaders to intellectually counter the ‘Kharji’ sect and aware the people that killing of any innocent is not allowed in the religion.

PAT: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek has welcomed the plan saying eight out of 14 points given by PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qardi, including setting up of military courts for trying terrorists, have been accommodated in it.

It, however, says the main issue is intention of the implementers and implementation of the 20-point anti-terrorist agenda announced by the prime minister.

PAT president Raheeq Abbasi has also raised questions about the absence of mechanism for implementing some points like effectively curbing foreign funding for individuals and organizations involved in terrorism and the mechanism planned for those who would refuse to accept restrictions.

He also points out that the issue of funding for unregistered seminaries as well as reforms in all religious schools and their syllabus have also not figured in the plan.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he says, should have announced the plan in the presence of all parliamentary leaders to avoid giving the impression that some parties may be opposed to it.

JUP: Punjab President of JUP Qari Zawwar Bahadur says his party supports all decisions, particularly the setting up of military courts, taken by the political and security leadership for eliminating terrorism.

Hoping that measures will end the terrorism, he says the whole nation needs to be united for a complete peace in the country.

He terms convergence of the political and security leadership on the eve of the birthday of the Father of the Nation a good omen for the nation.

TI: The Tehrik-i-Istiqlal has welcomed the action plan terming it the need of the hour.

Party president Rehmat Khan Wardag says determination of army chief Raheel Sharif to offer all kinds of support for eradicating the menace of terrorism encouraged the political leadership to take a bold stance.

He says he believes military courts will decide the terror cases summarily against civilian courts, which have been taking years in adjudication, to the deterrence of the terrorists.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2014