NOWSHERA, Feb 12: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami on Tuesday expressed reservations about the Awami National Party-led All Parties Conference on terrorism, asking how a government whose tenure is about to complete could push militant groups into accepting the APC resolutions.
In the day, ANP leaders, including federal minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, met JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq at his Akora Khattak residence about the proposed APC to be held on Feb 14.
The two conveyed a message of their party chief, Asfandyar Wali Khan, to Mr Haq declaring terrorism the country’s major problem.
“I have told Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Mian Iftikhar Hussain straightaway that their party was a coalition partner of PPP in the federal government but failed to implement the joint resolution of parliament on national security in the past,” Mr Haq told reporters after the meeting.
The JUI-S chief, who is also heads the Defence Council of Pakistan, said he had called an emergency meeting of his party’s central shura today (Wednesday) to decide about participation in APC.
He said ANP was a key partner in the ruling coalition but didn’t play due role in implementation of parliament’s resolution on national security that stated that dialogue should be initiated with all militant groups for peace.
“Now when the days of the ANP government are numbered, how it can guarantee enforcement of the resolutions of its All Parties Conference,” he said.
Mr Haq, however, appreciated the ANP efforts for restoration of peace in the country.
“Though the process (for peace) has been started by ANP quite late, the positive step should be appreciated,” he said.
The JUI-S chief advised ANP against setting any agenda for APC and said the party should rather provide participants with an open chance to discuss the basic causes of terrorism for finding solution.
“If we decide to participate in the conference, then we’ll apprise participants and the entire national about our views on how to restore peace in the country,” he said.