ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said the federal government was ready to invite all political parties and build consensus on counterterrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking in the Senate, the PML-N leader also urged the opposition to \u201cset other demands aside\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PM\u2019s aide\u2019s remarks come after the Centre imposed emergency and governor\u2019s rule in KP on October 11, citing the PTI-led provincial government\u2019s \u201cdeliberate disengagement\u201d from the fight against terrorism. The decisions were also endorsed by the Parliament last week amid protests by the opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven now, if all parties [..] can agree to sit down to discuss this issue, then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is willing to invite them and find a way forward (on counterterrorism) or how operations can be supported by the entire nation,\u201d Sanaullah said, urging political parties to put other demands aside and \u201cstand united\u201d in tackling terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanaullah went on to criticise National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe became the leader of the opposition after the speaker signed off on his appointment; however, [..] he does not accept the speaker\u2019s authority and is not even ready to meet the prime minister and has even refused to sit in the speaker\u2019s chambers with the PM,\u201d Sanaullah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sanaullah then turned his attention to the rise in terrorism in the country, expressing sorrow at the martyrdom of an army officer a day earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing the opposition, he said, \u201cYou are running propaganda against the head of this institution and [..] making below-the-belt remarks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PML-N senator also assailed the members of the now non-functional PTI-led KP government for not attending apex committee meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn 11 months, there was one apex committee meeting in which the KP CM was in attendance, and the way he was brought there, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi already spoke about it,\u201d Sanaullah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recalling the federal government\u2019s talks with the PTI earlier this month, Sanaullah said: \u201cDuring the talks, we agreed on constituting a political committee comprising members from both sides; however, [..] the talks broke down on one single point \u2014 the PTI fulfilling its responsibilities and supporting the federal government in counterterrorism efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chaudhry reiterates invitation to opposition
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also invited opposition parties to develop a consensus against terrorism, saying Pakistan\u2019s peace and the future of its children depended on a united stance against the menace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI extended an invitation yesterday, and today I am once again inviting all opposition parties to come forward and build a consensus against terrorism,\u201d he said while speaking to the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy can we not develop a consensus, at least on this issue?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chaudhry said political differences should not be allowed to compromise the national interest, adding that peace and prosperity required a collective effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said controlling terrorism in KP was practically impossible without the provincial government\u2019s full cooperation with federal institutions, the Pakistan Army and security agencies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday said the federal government was ready to invite all political parties and build consensus on counterterrorism. Speaking in the Senate, the PML-N leader also urged the opposition to \u201cset other demands aside\u201d. The PM\u2019s aide\u2019s remarks come after the Centre imposed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":135147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n