The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) had revealed the names of top political personalities, who could be potential targets of terrorists during the ongoing election campaign.
While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, the NACTA director said that there are threats to senior leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N. Moreover he told the committee that six people including PTI chief Imran Khan, Awami National Party leaders Asfandyar Wali and Ameer Haider Hoti, Qaumi Watan Party head Aftab Sherpao, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leader Akram Khan Durrani and Hafiz Saeed’s son Talha Saeed could be targeted by terrorists during the election campaign. He said NACTA had forwarded 12 threat alerts to the federal interior and provincial home ministries as well as law enforcement agencies. The startling revelation made by the counter terrorism authority is a matter of serious concern, which cannot be ignored under the prevailing situation. Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan Secretary had already informed the committee that there was a possibility of violence during the general elections scheduled for July 25, and directed that such alerts be taken seriously.
Pakistan has suffered a number of terrorist attacks at the hands of anti-state elements in the past. Although the security situation had improved to a great extent during the past couple of years but still there are some fringe elements who can take advantage of the situation. The country had already lost a great leader at the hands of terrorists, and at this very critical point of time when anti-state elements were busy in hatching conspiracies we as a nation cannot afford such kind of mishap that could vitiate the atmosphere ahead of polls. The recent stone pelting incident on PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s election rally in Karachi serves as an eye-opener in this regard and the incident points to critical security situation that needs to be tackled effectively at the earliest possible time. In view of the said situation it is incumbent upon the interim government to take necessary steps to provide foolproof security to the heads of parties and those for whom threat alerts were issued. However, the contesting candidates and leaders of political parties should realize the gravity of situation and avoid scandalizing issues having potential to trigger violence and ignite hatred against each other.