SUKKUR: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that whole nation is united against terrorism and ready not only to eliminate the menace from the country but also root out the mindset instigating terrorism.

“The country’s political force, supported by the entire nation, have thrown their weight behind the armed forces’ operation against terrorists,” he said, adding that for the first time the parliament has unanimously backed establishment of military courts to try and punish terrorists.

He observed that the mindset behind terrorism in the name of Islam had given a bad name to the religion as well as to Pakistan. “And now, the Army Public School (APS) carnage in Peshawar has forged unity among the ranks and file of all political and military forces,” he said.

Mr Shah was speaking to the media after attending a candlelit vigil held at the local press club on Friday night to remember APS carnage victims.The opposition leader expressed apprehension about a deepening power crisis in Sindh, saying that the federal government got approved certain ordinances in the National Assembly taking advantage of the opposition’s absence. Under these ordinances, the federal government intended to usurp the province’s right to collect various taxes, he said, adding that provinces, including Sindh, would suffer huge losses in terms of their respective shares in the divisible pool.

He observed that the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) was in trouble and unable to help produce energy and this had created fear of power crisis to deepen.

Mr Shah recalled that during the PPP-led coalition at the Centre, the power loadshedding had been restricted to 30 per cent but now it had increased to over 50 per cent. “The situation may aggravate in the wake of the PSO default,” he said.

In reply to a question, Khursheed Shah said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan should adopt a positive attitude in talks with the PML-N government as the government and the armed forces must be supported by all countrymen in the ongoing war against terrorism. “It’s a common cause and all political forces should opt for peaceful means to resolve their issues,” he stressed.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2015

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