Nisar terms Karachi operation 'apolitical'

On Tuesday, Chaudhry Nisar arrived here from the United States where he had attended a conference on drug problem and signed the COP 21 Paris Agreement on behalf of Pakistan along with 175 other countries.

Nisar called on his counterpart the British Home Secretary Theresa May and discussed bilateral issues and Pakistan-UK relations. They underscored the need for enhancing mutual cooperation between both countries.

They discussed a host of issues ranging from counter-terrorism, illegal immigration, organized crimes, counter narcotics, money laundering and other issues of mutual interest.The British Home Secretary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fight against terrorism and assured Britain’s support to Pakistan in this regard.

Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan meets with her #British counterpart @TheresaMay_MP @ukhomeoffice pic.twitter.com/tQHfCHMm21

— Pakistan Mission UK (@phclondon) April 26, 2016

He said that Pakistan is fully committed to denying space to the desperate elements to target innocent citizens and further their ulterior terrorist agenda. He said  that lack of agreement on extradition between the two countries will not in any way deter Pakistan from cooperating with Britain in targeting and rooting out every form of international crimes.

The Minister also took up with his British counterpart the issue of visas for students, officials and business community of Pakistan.

They also discussed the murder case of Dr. Imran Farooq and the alleged funding to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) by Indian covert agency RAW.

In his address to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, Nisar said the ongoing operation against criminals and terrorists in Karachi is apolitical. However, he admitted that  a few people who have been arrested by law enforcement agencies were either affiliated with political parties were sheltered by them.

He said that Pakistan faced huge challenges and the the problems had started immediately after partition of the subcontinent. He said that terrorists had been unleashed on Pakistan and had left the whole country helpless.

He said that a military dictator, who also happened to be his personal friend, acquiesced with the West and kept the whole future of the country on stake just after receiving a call from Washington. This was a direct remark to  Pervez Musharraf who also revealed this in his memoir.

This placed a huge burden of the solidarity and security of the country.  He said that previous governments acted in haste after the 9/11 attacks and reminded that none of the 9/11 hijackers had any direct links to Pakistan

There was a time when Pakistan faced terror attacks on a daily basis and they have come a long way since then.  Pakistan has successfully evolved a counter terrorism policy and terrorist incidents in Pakistan declined by 38 percent last year.

He said that an attack on Afghanistan will affect Pakistan as well and that both countries should stay together.

He said terrorism has its own reasons and dimensions and needs regional solution instead of any imported or imposed one for lasting peace. He reiterated that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism and attempts to link militancy with this great religion is unfortunate.