Tazeen Akhtar
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered immediate action against 5 officials for negligence of duty that has been proved in the findings of an inquiry report on the Besham suicide attack which claimed the lives of 6 people, including 5 Chinese nationals raising serious questions about how the security laps occurred when already a continuous threat was there? Minister said immediate action and that within 15 Days. Two weeks are not immediate certainly.
Chinese engineers and Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide bombing in Besham KPK while traveling to hydroelectric dam construction site in Dasu from Islamabad.
Information Minister shared the details in a press conference in Lahore on 06 April 2024.He said that a committee was formed for inquiry into the Dasu incident. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered action against RPO Hazara division, DPO Upper Kohsitan district, DPO Lower Kohistan district, Dasu Hydropower Project Security Director and KP Special Security Unit Commandant in 15 days.
As long as, IMMEDIATE Action and that in 15 long days is concerned, it is clear here that because it is between Prime Minister whose party is PMLN and KP Government which belong to another party PTI. That is a big rather main reason for what happened with CPEC during all last 10 years from PTI’s sit inns to PTI’s federal government of Imran Khan and now again PTI’s gov in KPK for third consecutive term.
He said, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Dasu, met Chinese engineers and expressed grief over the incident besides offering condolences.Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain went to Wuhan, China, on a special flight that carried mortal remains of Chinese personnel, who had died in the terror attack and expressed condolences with the Chinese government and officials.
He said that the quick action was a proof that no compromise would be tolerated on the security of the Chinese in future. Prime Minister was personally supervising security matters pertaining to Chinese projects and the Chinese and an effective system was being evolved in this regard.
Information minister stated that the armed forces and law enforcement agencies of the country were determined to root out terrorism and would not allow anybody to harm the country’s peace.
Here questions rise if that was the alertness , how the terrorists succeeded in hitting their target? If that was alertness and the route was known, why proper security measures were not taken throughout the route? It was not one bus only but it was a convoy, means it was clear to all that some important Caravan is traveling. Security principles do not allow a combined travel when there is some security threat.
It is matter of fact that political rivalry of PTI and PMLN is affecting not only the stability and economy of the country but it is damaging our relations with China severely. It is more a political problem than a security laps or negligence. One can see the situationer from the history as;
1- PTI staged the longest ever sit inn when the CPEC was about to start and the President of China was due to inaugurate the flagship project. The visit was postponed for months.
2- PTI’s KPK government remained at daggers drawn with PMLN’s federal government from Aug 2014 to the ouster of PM Nawaz in 2017. This state of affairs hindered the pace on the construction of CPEC in KPK where the main route of the project is situated.
3- PTI sought review of CPEC agreements after coming into power in the center in Election 2018 and termed them not well negotiated.
4- PTI’s federal government of Imran Khan had soft corner for TTP etc. Incumbent Defense Minister Khwaja Asif stated in a recent interview the number of terrorists pardoned by PTI gov in thousands.
5- Now when another attack on Chinese has been conducted successfully, the state of affairs is clear to all. PTI is the gov in the province and the officers of law enforcing agencies there including police will follow the instructions of provincial gov.
The consecutive actions of PTI in securing political mileages even if the national interests are compromised are now part of record and history. PTI will be happy if PMLN will be in hot waters, especially on international front and bilateral matters with friendly countries. PMLN enjoy good relations with the gov of China, Saudia, Qatar and it is not bearable for PTI.
PTI and PMLN are not just political opponents but actually they are enemies that can never wish any good for each other. Is there anyone who would contradict this bitter reality? NO.
What is the solution then? The answer is not very difficult.
First – Do not rely on KPK Police only. Activate federal force the Frontier Constabulary and Rangers in KPK for Chinese citizens.
Second – Pakistan Army command only, can make it clear to KPK gov and police that enough is enough. No more negligence, misconduct, irresponsible attitude will be spared.
Third – A military helicopter may accompany with any Chinese convoy or more than 5 persons in travel.
Fourth – Pakistan Army is already fighting the terrorists in KPK and Balochistan. A drive can be started against the weapons, legal or illegal both, at least along the villages, towns situated at the routes of the projects where Chinese are working.
Fifth – Local communities, especially youth and elders can be taken into confidence to keep eye on the suspicious activities around their vicinity and share information with officials.
And last but not the least, now when you have singled out the officials who committed negligence, make them example once for all. That is the only way forward to assure safety for our Chinese brothers. Further , an overhaul in KPK police and administration officials is also highly recommended. Inspector General and Chief Secretary can be appointed by the Federal government to keep a check and balance.
The other political parties and groups like PTM, JUI, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Balochistan National Party also have developed differences with the establishment of Pakistan. The concerned quarters can initiate dialogue with them to muster their support to maintain peace and security in the two provinces.
A large number of Baloch families held a protest in Islamabad in last winter for recovery of their members. They were pushed back abruptly. This behaviour with the citizens make them angry with the state. We need to keep our citizens satisfied so that they never think about helping the anti state elements.
Lets not make Pakistan, Dreadful Land for Foreigners – by – Tazeen Akhtar
