HYDERABAD: Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) chief Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, expressing his party’s full support for the ongoing operation in Karachi against terrorists and criminals, said that the apex committee should be allowed to work independently with powers of transfer and posting of officers to ensure an even-handed operation.

Speaking at the ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the local press club on Saturday, he said the country must rid itself of terrorism.

He opposed maintaining secrecy over the arrest of suspected terrorists and criminals exposing them for political expediencies. He noted a marked decrease in the incidents of targeted killings and observed that no particular party was being targeted in the operation.

Mr Qadri condemned “governmental support” for banned organisations in Punjab and said that the ulema belonging to Ahle Sunnat sect in Sindh were facing prosecution even for violating the Loudspeakers Act in Sindh.

Referring to the death of Sunni Ittehad Council leader Tariq Mehboob in custody, the PST chief said that his party would discuss the matter with the Rangers director general. He also opposed sending the armed forces to Saudi Arabia to fight against Yemen rebels, arguing that Pakistani troops were not mercenaries. He said the rebellion was Yemen’s internal issue, and added that the constitutional government there should be restored.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2015

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