ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that effective implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) is the joint responsibility of federal and provincial governments, various ministries, divisions and state institutions.

“It requires all stakeholders to put in their best and ensure constant monitoring, supervision and course corrections,” he said in his address on internal security policy and NAP at the National Defence University (NDU) on Friday.

He said the NAP was not a quick fix solution, but an action plan requiring all government faculties and institutions to persistently try to eradicate the menace of militancy and terrorism.

He claimed that the NAP had brought about a visible decline in incidents of terrorism and a marked improvement in the overall law and order situation. “As a result of efforts made by law-enforcement agencies, normal life had been restored across the country, including Karachi and Quetta where the situation has improved significantly.

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Threats have been minimised, although not eliminated. He said “We need to be watchful and do everything to keep the momentum going.”

According to the interior minister, a few isolated incidents of terrorism would not weaken the resolve of the government. Such incidents are desperate acts of terrorists who are on the run. The event was attended by senior civil and military officers and defence personnel from 23 countries.

Chaudhry Nisar said intolerance, extremism and terrorism had been plaguing the country for decades. “Our journey now, to a tolerant and progressive society is a long, painful and arduous task and we have rendered a lot of sacrifices. “This is a difficult task but the state and the people, with the help of their security agencies and the armed forces, are determined to accomplish the job and a visible difference is already there.”

Giving an overview of the country’s internal security policy, Chaudhry Nisar said administrative failures of the past, a frail criminal justice system, inconsistent or at times absence of policies on important issues were factors that created security challenges. Along with these issues, he said, developments at regional and international levels and interests of major powers also left their imprints on national security. These external and internal factors, he added, created a polarised society. The incident at the Army Public School Peshawar, according to the minister, brought the nation together to collectively say no to extremist ideologies and rise as a united force to confront militancy and terrorism.

The minister’s address was followed by a candid discussion where students raised questions on internal security policy.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2015