ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Monday that the country was in a state of war and those spreading alarm and despondency because of isolated incidents of terrorism were playing in the hands of enemies.

Desperate actions by militants should not be allowed to overshadow the successes achieved in the fight against terrorism during the past year, he said during a meeting with 30 newly promoted major generals attending a command and leadership course at the National Defence University.

Chaudhry Nisar regretted that some parties and individuals were trying to score political points at the cost of national interest and security. “Statements and analysis by certain political leaders and their cohorts send a message of weakness and cowardice while it is imperative to demonstrate resolve and commitment at any moment of calamity.”

He said terrorist incidents should not lead to pessimism and helplessness but a reiteration of the firm resolve to defeat terrorists. Those who are promoting their own interests are harming national causes and resolve. People spreading pessimism and cynicism should remember that all terror-related graphs were down and at the lowest since 2006, giving hope for a secure Pakistan free from the menace of terror.

Chaudhry Nisar said internal security was a multi-faceted, multi-pronged and multi-dimensional responsibility which required continued efforts, monitoring and fine-tuning. “We must always think beyond ourselves and take internal security as a national issue and obligation.”

He said the country’s security had been affected by internal, regional and geopolitical factors where, besides the known enemies, there were others in the garb of friends who wanted to create instability in the country.

He said it was unfortunate that despite huge sufferings and tragedies of the past years, no internal security policy or framework could be devised by previous governments. Hundreds and thousands of lives were lost and five to six explosions a day took place across the country causing losses of life and property, but the governments continued to turn a blind eye to the issue.

Chaudhry Nisar said that under the National Action Plan a robust three-layered security mechanism comprising police, civil armed forces and the army had been put in place in major cities.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2016