Govt postpones APC on terrorism

On Tuesday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s All-Party Conference (APC) on terrorism had been rescheduled.

Aurangzeb stated in a tweet that the premier would leave for Ankara on Wednesday (tomorrow) morning to express his condolences to the Turkish people for the devastation and loss of life caused by yesterday’s earthquake.

As rescue teams struggle to save those trapped beneath the wreckage, the death toll from the devastating earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria has surpassed 5000.

“Due to the prime minister’s visit to Turkey, the APC set to convene on Thursday, February 9, is being postponed,” tweeted the communication minister, adding that a new date will be announced, “after consultation with allies”. Aurangzeb had said the APC had been postponed and will now take place on Thursday, February 9, two days later than planned.

Originally, PM Shehbaz convened an APC on February 7, calling all national and political leaders to reflect on the growing menace of extremism and terrorism. “A coordinated strategy to tackle terrorism and national challenges will be developed,” the minister said, adding that the National Action Plan would be reassessed.

Aurangzeb had said the APC had been postponed and will now take place on Thursday, February 9, two days later than planned. Originally, PM Shehbaz convened an APC on February 7, calling all national and political leaders to reflect on the growing menace of extremism and terrorism.

“A coordinated strategy to tackle terrorism and national challenges will be developed,” the minister said, adding that the National Action Plan would be reassessed.

The APC was announced by the PM just days after the Peshawar Police Lines massacre, which claimed more than 100 people when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside a mosque during noon prayers.

His move to force political leaders to sit across the table on critical national-level issues has been viewed as a significant political development in the country’s political environment, whichb has been plagued by uncertainty for months.

However, Asad Umar, General Secretary of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stated that party chairman Imran Khan would not attend the meeting.

“How could Imran Khan stay with the present government while bogus cases are launched against PTI leaders?” he had asked.