ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Former Federal Minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, Khurram Dastgir Khan, has stated that party president Nawaz Sharif is the best-placed figure to spearhead efforts to create a national consensus against terrorism. Dastgir emphasized that Nawaz Sharif’s leadership could play a pivotal role in uniting political forces to combat terrorism in Pakistan.
Speaking on a private news channel, Dastgir highlighted that strategies were being developed to forge maximum political consensus on the issue of terrorism, particularly in the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks. He noted that the political leadership would soon decide the method of consultations, whether through a parliamentary debate or provincial assemblies, to align the country’s efforts against terrorism.
Dastgir described the recent escalation of violence, including the hostage-taking incident and the attack on the Jaffar Express, as a shift from acts of dissent to full-scale terrorism. He pointed out that such actions required a coordinated and comprehensive response from the government and political leadership. In this context, he stressed that no one could lead this effort better than Nawaz Sharif.
Additionally, Dastgir proposed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, or a nominee from his party, be included in the federal cabinet to strengthen the political unity required to combat terrorism. He praised Fazl’s categorical stance against terrorism, particularly following the recent Akora Khattak incident, and suggested that it was essential to address his concerns and reservations in the cabinet.
Regarding the potential opposition campaign after Eid, Dastgir indicated that while there might be challenges, the government was committed to involving all political forces in the fight against terrorism. He emphasized that PML-N would work to ensure political space for all parties, including JUI-F, to contribute to the national consensus.
Dastgir’s comments reflect the ongoing efforts to create a united front against the growing threat of terrorism in Pakistan, with Nawaz Sharif’s leadership at the forefront of these negotiations.
