Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah made it loud and clear on Wednesday that security forces were ready to take action against any militant organization including TTP challenging the writ of the state.
He was responding to a query about open threats to the leadership of PPP and PML-N issued by TTP.
“ We will respond to any militant/terrorist organization planning to attack Pakistan according to International Law,” Rana said addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Alarmed by the uptick in terrorist activity in the country, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday assured the nation that the government was taking steps to counter-terrorism.
Pakistan has witnessed a steep increase in terrorist attacks across the country, believed to have been planned and directed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The TTP executed more than 100 attacks last year, most of which happened after August following a deadlock in peace talks between TTP and the Pakistan government. The ceasefire was formally ended on Nov 28 by the TTP.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, Sanaullah said the state’s efforts against terrorism could not be publicized as it would compromise its success.
At the same time, Sanaullah said that efforts were underway to bring the outlawed TTP to the negotiation table but the group would first have to set aside arms and surrender before the law and the Constitution.
He said Pakistan needed to deal with the situation in such a manner as to keep the TTP at the “lowest level” and keep the number of terrorist incidents to a minimum.
“You will see the decisions that were made in regard to this being implemented in the coming days.”
His remarks come after the NSC on Monday reiterated its intent to crush terrorist groups operating inside the country with full force.
According to Dawn, During the press conference, the minister was also asked about the recent remarks from the Afghan Taliban and the explicit threat issued by the TTP to the PPP and the PML-N for “openly declaring war against the TTP to appease America”.
The TTP statement pointedly mentioned PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by name, as well as their respective parties, and warned religious parties against “activities against us”.
“I never said that we want to attack Afghanistan or someone there,” Sanaullah said. However, as stated before, if any terrorist is planning to attack Pakistan or stage a terrorist attack then, as part of international law, “we can and should engage”.
Sanaullah said the NSC meeting had concretely decided that talks about any concerns or issues would only be held with the Afghan government.
Regarding the threat issued by the TTP, he said that a “general threat” was present and the government was already taking the necessary precautions