Durrani proposes APC to combat terrorism

CNews ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani proposed on Friday an all parties conference (APC) to combat extremism and terrorism in the country.“This (the Karachi suicide blasts) is a crime against the entire humanity, it is the loss of the entire nation,” the minister told a press conference.He said the country is moving towards democracy, and this process should not be hampered. “Such acts of terrorism are against democracy and are being carried out by those who do not want peace in the country, and do not want the common people to share the power,” he said.The minister said the situation demands that all political parties and leaders should work on a one-point agenda for combating the menace.“We have to face this challenge with complete unity and solidarity,” he said, while referring to the process of political reconciliation, initiated by the government. Durrani said: “An all parties conference may be convened by the ruling coalition as soon as possible, if all the opposition parties respond to the proposal positively.”Replying to a question, the minister said it was not a time for political gains from the Karachi carnage, which had shocked and grieved the entire nation. “Such acts would not affect the ongoing democratic process and elections would be held on time,” he asserted.Replying to another question, the minister rejected involvement of any intelligence agency in this incident. He stated: “All agencies are in the control of government.” Expressing sympathy with the relatives of deceased journalist Arif Khan and other injured journalists, the minister said the Information Ministry would soon compensate them. He said the district governments had been directed to give all possible protection to journalists while performing their duties.