PESHAWAR: In light of the recent wave of terrorism in the country, members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday raised questions about the effectiveness of the measures taken to eliminate militancy as well as the performance of law-enforcement agencies.

During a session chaired by deputy speaker Prof Mehar Taj Roghani, the lawmakers said the state had miserably failed to protect the public life and property as the militants had been attacking soft targets wherever they wanted.

They also criticised the administrative secretaries, especially those of police and home departments, for absenting themselves from the house during debate on law and order situation in the province.

Leader of the opposition Maulana Lutfur Rehman said the rulers had failed to ensure peace in the country though the people had rendered huge sacrifices.

“The people at the helm of affairs should think if their policies are causing the acts of terrorism to increase or decrease in the country,” he said.

Complain terrorism rearing its ugly head again

The opposition leader said the recent terrorist attack on the Agriculture Training Institute Peshawar revealed that militants have the capability to attack everywhere.

In a veiled reference to the establishment of military courts through a constitutional amendment for speedy trial of terrorists, Mr Rehman said the politicians supported them (military courts) halfheartedly but the purpose for which they’re set up hadn’t been achieved.

He said the flaws in anti-terrorism measures and those responsible for them should be identified for necessary action.

“We need to see where we’re standing now despite laying down lots of lives," he said.

The opposition leader criticised US President Donald Trump for recognising Jerusalem as Israeli capital and insisted that the move would cause unrest across the world.

“The recognition of Jerusalem by the US as Israeli capital is an attack on Muslims,” he said.

ANP parliamentary leader Sardar Hussain Babak said the resurgence of terrorism had raised many questions.

He said the Peshawar ATI attack was the third major terrorist act against educational institutions in the province after the Army Public School Peshawar and Bacha Khan University Charsadda strikes.

He regretted that the parents of APS attack victims continued to demand judicial inquiry into the massacre of their minor children by militants.

“Parents of the students still cry for justice,” he said.

The ANP leader said despite the holding of numerous crackdowns by law-enforcement agencies, the anti-social elements, extortionists and kidnappers has made the people’s lives miserable.

He said extortionists and kidnappers gave death warnings to notables in the province, who didn’t report them to the police fearing for life.

“Pakistan should refrain from interfering in the affairs of Afghanistan,” he said wondering why Islamabad felt threatened if Kabul wanted to get closer to New Delhi.

Mr Babak said unfortunately, Pakistan had fought for the US in Afghanistan in the name of ‘jihad’.

He said terrorism had become an international business in which many rich countries had invested money.

Nighat Orakzai of the PPP said it was unfortunate that terrorism was rearing its ugly head again.

She wondered why the relevant authorities were silent over demonstrations against government and donation collection by banned organisations.

The chair adjourned the session until Monday due to lack of quorum.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2017