Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that Pakistan militarily is winning the war on militancy but we are losing the psychological war against terror.

During a press conference, the minister hits out at critics of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Thursday saying those criticising the policy had never read NAP. “People who are criticising the NAP are the ones who kept sleeping during their tenure and did nothing to root out terrorism from Pakistan. Those who did not even read the NAP documents are giving their analysis on it,” Nisar said.

“We are in the state of war and wars are not only fought with bullets. The psychological side to a war is also extremely important and we have an upper hand to this psychological war,” Nisar said. “Whenever there is an attack, a storm begins. We behave exactly how our enemies want by creating an atmosphere of fear. People criticise the government saying no progress has been made,” he added.

The minister pointed out that the PPP leadership was needlessly criticising the NAP because of the action being taken against Dr Asim in corruption cases. “If anyone has anything to say regarding Dr Asim’s case they should contact me instead of spreading rumours regarding NAP.”

– Nisar urges not to shut down school –

Nisar urged all the provincial governments not to shutdown schools over fear of terrorist attacks as it meant that we are giving in to terrorists. “If we close all our educational institutions, hospitals, streets, neighbourhoods and hide ourselves in our houses; this is what the terrorists want.”

“We should give a message of strength and unity and fight against the atmosphere of fear and terror,” the minister said. “The terrorists are desperate so they are attacking the softest targets. There are hundreds of thousands of schools in Pakistan. Securing each is a difficult job, but it must be done,” he added.

Nisar said that security can be improved while schools are still on. He claimed that he was advised by the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry to shut down the schools of Islamabad, saying he refused to do so and told him that we would fight the terrorists.

– Nisar lauds KP govt against terrorism –

The minister lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government against terrorism. “The government of K-P has taken appreciable steps against dealing with terrorism and their decision of not to close schools over terror threats is commendable,” he said.

To a question, Nisar said that he will bring facts regarding Maulana Abdul Aziz to light. “The government has a clear policy on curbing militancy. There are no good or bad militants.”