Ground Zero, hosted by Siyar Ali Shah, is a weekly current affairs program that focuses on discussing and analyzing the pressing issues of terrorism, counter-terrorism efforts, and the state of security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The program aims to provide a comprehensive platform for analyzing and understanding the evolving dynamics of terrorism in the region, particularly in relation to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Key Points Discussed:
- Law and order situation in the country.
- Last month there were 40 terrorist attacks across the country.
- During the last five months, 224 terrorist attacks took place across the country.
- Can there be negotiations with the banned TTP?
- Afghan Interim Government’s assurance to Pakistan on TTP.
- Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Law and order situation in the country:
The host explored the current state of the law and order situation in the country. He aimed to analyze the overall security environment and assess the effectiveness of measures taken to maintain law and order.
Last month there were 40 terrorist attacks across the country:
The host highlighted the alarming number of terrorist attacks that occurred in the previous month. He sought to provide insights into the nature, frequency, and impact of these attacks on the security landscape of the country.
During the last five months, 224 terrorist attacks took place across the country:
The host discussed the long-term trends in terrorist activities, specifically focusing on the significant number of attacks that occurred within the past five months. He aimed to analyze the patterns and assess the underlying factors contributing to the increased incidence of terrorism.
Can there be negotiations with the banned TTP?
The host explored the possibility of engaging in negotiations with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Afghan Interim Government’s assurance to Pakistan on TTP:
The host discussed the assurances provided by the Afghan Interim Government to Pakistan regarding their commitment to address the TTP’s presence and activities in Afghanistan. He examined the significance of this assurance for bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and promoting regional stability.
Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan:
The program focused on the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism efforts. It aimed to evaluate the current state of relations, identify areas of cooperation, and address challenges that may hinder effective collaboration in ensuring regional security.
Host Siyar Ali Shah opened the program by presenting a series of reports, each shedding light on various aspects of the security situation and terrorist activities:
By sharing these reports, Siyar Ali Shah set the stage for a comprehensive discussion on the pressing issues of terrorism, security, and the efforts required to address these challenges effectively.
➤ Minor decrease in casualties in terrorist activities in the month of May.
➤ Casualties in terrorist activities have decreased in May, PICSS reports.
➤ In May, terrorists carried out 40 attacks in which 48 people were killed and 102 injured, reports said.
➤ 24 security personnel were also martyred and 56 injured in the attacks, reports said
➤ The series of operations against the terrorists continued on behalf of the security agencies.
➤ In May, 56 terrorists were killed and 39 were arrested in various operations of the security agencies.
➤ In five months of this year, 224 terrorist attacks took place, 357 people died and about 615 were injured.
➤ Comparison of the first 5 months of this year with the last 5 months.
➤ During the same period last year, 126 terrorist attacks took place, 257 people were killed and 461 were injured, reports said.
➤ Terrorist attacks increased by 77 percent in the first 5 months of this year compared to last year, reports said.
➤ A 39 percent increase in casualties was recorded, PICSS reports.
➤ In May, the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the most affected by terrorist activities.
➤ Last month, 18 people were killed in 18 attacks in tribal areas, report.
➤ 12 people were killed in 10 terrorist attacks in Balochistan in May, report.
➤ Two terrorist attacks took place in Sindh, PICSS report.
➤ Last month there were four suicide attacks in which eight people were killed, PICSS reports.
Siyar Ali Shah highlighted a notable development, indicating a minor decrease in casualties resulting from terrorist activities during the month of May.
➣ Referring to the reports from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Siyar Ali Shah emphasized that casualties in terrorist activities have shown a decline in May, potentially signaling a positive shift in the security landscape.
➣ Sharing alarming statistics, Siyar Ali Shah stated that in May alone, there were 40 terrorist attacks, resulting in the loss of 48 lives and leaving 102 people injured.
➣ The host further revealed the devastating impact on security personnel, stating that 24 brave security personnel were martyred while defending the nation, with an additional 56 personnel sustaining injuries during these attacks.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah highlighted the ongoing commitment of security agencies in their relentless pursuit of combating terrorism, exemplified by the continued series of operations against terrorists.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah further elaborated that in May, security agencies achieved significant progress, successfully eliminating 56 terrorists and apprehending 39 individuals involved in various operations.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah highlighted the broader context of terrorist activities by providing an overview of the last five months, revealing that a total of 224 terrorist attacks had taken place during this period, resulting in the loss of 357 lives and causing injuries to approximately 615 individuals.
➣ Drawing attention to a concerning trend, Siyar Ali Shah pointed out that a comparison between the first five months of this year and the corresponding period of the previous year indicated a staggering 77 percent increase in terrorist attacks.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah emphasized the gravity of the situation by noting a 39 percent surge in casualties, as reported by PICSS, underscoring the urgent need for effective counter-terrorism measures.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah highlighted the regional impact of terrorist activities, specifically mentioning the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were the most affected in May, demanding targeted efforts to address security concerns in these areas.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah shared a distressing figure, revealing that 18 attacks in the tribal areas resulted in the loss of 18 lives, reflecting the severity of the situation and the need for immediate attention.
➣ The host also mentioned Balochistan, where 10 terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 12 people, further emphasizing the importance of addressing security challenges in this region.
➣ Siyar Ali Shah highlighted the occurrence of two terrorist attacks in Sindh, adding to the comprehensive understanding of the spread of security threats across different provinces.
➣ Lastly, Siyar Ali Shah expressed concern over the distressing number of suicide attacks in May, stating that four such attacks resulted in the loss of eight innocent lives, further emphasizing the ruthless tactics employed by terrorists.
These reports set the stage for a comprehensive discussion on the current security landscape, emphasizing the need for effective counter-terrorism strategies and collaborative efforts to safeguard the nation and its citizens.
➤ During the program, Siyar Ali Shah raised an important question regarding the recent visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister to Pakistan. He inquired whether the current Afghan Taliban government would exert pressure on the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to address the prevailing issues.
➤ Ali Hussain, the esteemed journalist, emphasized the significant impact of Afghanistan’s security situation on Pakistan. He pointed out that since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, terrorist activities in Pakistan have increased by a staggering 73%. Ali Hussain further provided a comparative analysis, examining the last 21 months under the Afghan Taliban and the preceding 21 months.
➤ The discussion highlighted the direct impact of the ongoing war and terrorism on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. It was noted that KP is a majorly affected region, facing the brunt of the security challenges. Balochistan, on the other hand, emerges as the second most affected region.
➤ Wiqas Shah, contributing to the conversation, emphasized the need for adequate measures to counter terrorism. He pointed out that the police force currently lacks sufficient training and resources to effectively tackle the issue. However, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) were deemed better equipped and positioned to counter the threats.
➤ Overall, the discussion shed light on the pressing security concerns Pakistan faces due to the situation in Afghanistan. The guests provided valuable insights and analysis, underlining the importance of collaborative efforts and strengthening counter-terrorism measures to address these challenges effectively.
Summary:
➥ “Ground Zero” is a weekly current affairs program hosted by Siyar Ali Shah that focuses on terrorism, counter-terrorism efforts, and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.
➥ The program discussed the law and order situation in the country, highlighting the increase in terrorist attacks over the past five months.
➥ The possibility of negotiations with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan Interim Government’s assurance to Pakistan on addressing TTP’s presence were explored.
➥ Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were analyzed, considering their impact on counter-terrorism efforts.
➥ Siyar Ali Shah presented reports indicating a minor decrease in casualties in terrorist activities during May, but emphasized the alarming number of attacks and casualties overall.
➥ The discussion emphasized the direct impact of the Afghan Taliban takeover on Pakistan, with a 73% increase in terrorist activities.
➥ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan were identified as the most affected regions by terrorism, requiring targeted attention.
➥ Collaborative efforts and strengthening counter-terrorism measures were emphasized as essential to addressing the security challenges Pakistan faces.
➥ Ali Hussain, a journalist, and Syed Wiqas Shah, an experienced journalist, provided valuable insights and analysis during the program.
➥ Overall, the program shed light on the pressing security concerns in Pakistan, particularly in relation to Afghanistan, and underscored the importance of effective counter-terrorism strategies and cooperation between the two countries.
Guest Profile: Ali Hussain :
Ali Hussain is a journalist and reporter associated with Business Recorder. With expertise in reporting on various subjects, including terrorism, security issues, and current affairs, Ali Hussain contributes to the informed discourse on critical matters. Through his work, he aims to deliver accurate and insightful news, keeping the audience well-informed.
Guest Profile: Syed Wiqas Shah :
Syed Wiqas Shah, an esteemed journalist, has been an active contributor to the media landscape since 2003. With a career spanning multiple countries and regions, including Islamabad, Kabul, and the Middle East, Syed Wiqas Shah has developed a profound understanding of the complex dynamics in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
