Malik for breaking begging bowl

Rehman Malik Federal Minister for Interior has stressed the need for breaking the begging bowl and strengthening the country's economy by remaining within our own resources.
"We must learn to use our own resources and break the begging bowl, as no one from outside will help us in steering towards economic stability," Malik said while talking to media after addressing the inaugural session of two-day National Conference "Mega Disasters of Pakistan Lessons learnt- way forward", organised by Pakistan Red Crescent society (PRCS) at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The war against the former Soviet Union introduced heroin and Kalashnikov culture in Pakistan, which pawned terrorism that smashed the country's socio-economic fabric, Rehman Malik maintained. "We are fighting war against terrorism and are victims of terrorism and it is in the best interest of international community to help Pakistan at this stage to eradicate the menace once for all," Malik said, adding that it is the need of the hour to amend the Evidence Act and Anti-Terrorism Act to avoid the acquittal of terrorists.
There are ambiguities in Evidence Act and Anti-Terrorism Act, which helps the terrorists and criminals to get released from the courts, Malik said, adding that efforts are underway to amend these two laws. "Terrorists and anti-state elements wanted to destabilise the country to create panic and unrest by carrying out terrorist activities," Malik said, adding that the terrorists are mercenaries and not well wishers of Islam, Pakistan or humanity.
Earlier, addressing the conference, Interior Minister said that terrorists have attacked relief workers of international and local NGOs for their ulterior motives. The government is committed to wipe out terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations and Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices in the war on terrorism, the Interior Minister opined.
Malik assured full co-operation of the government and maximum security to officials and workers of international and national charity organisations. He appreciated the relief activities of international and national NGOs during 2005 earthquake and recent devastating floods in Pakistan and said that they performed the services in dangerous areas with courage and determination.
He called for chalking out a comprehensive strategy to cope with the natural calamities and civil society should help the government in finalising SOPs with regard to natural calamities. The RCS has played an important role in the process of rehabilitation of Pakistani people after every disaster including earthquake of 2005, IDPs' issue and the floods of 2010, he said.
Malik said that during the recent devastating floods RCS provided relief to over 5000 families and medical aid to about 200,000 needy people, which was a great contribution. The Minister announced extension in visas of the RCS workers saying that the government will extend their visas and provide them necessary security and protection. Pakistani mission abroad would be asked to give visa for three months to workers of relief organisations after fulfilling the criteria, he added.
In her welcome address, Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson PRCS said that the sole aim of holding the national conference was to provide people, who matter in policy making, a chance to deliberate and form a joint strategy for better planning within available resources. She said that due to climate change, the disasters' risks are increasing and it is high time to prepare an effective policy at national level to cope with looming challenges.
She was of the view that the expected outcome of the conference is the development of a blue print for national action following all kinds of disasters. She said that the conference would help enable relief and humanitarian organisations to avert or minimise lives and property loss, as the monsoon season is fast approaching. The focus of the conference was earthquakes, floods, cyclones and other man-made disasters, she added.
She said that the conference would provide a platform to identify available resources and improve strategies to prepare for the next disaster. It will also provide networking opportunities, as experts from different areas of disaster preparedness management will attend the conference. The conference aims at focusing on community disaster preparedness that can make a difference by lessening the loss of lives through proper training, she said. During the working sessions of the conference international and national experts presented their papers and shared their experiences and recommendations for a joint mechanism to cope with the disasters. The conference will attract a wide cross section of participants from public and private sector, non-governmental organisations, emergency management services, researchers and development partners.