Would eliminate terrorism in 90 days if PM: Imran

LAHORE - Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan Sunday claimed that if he was the prime minister of Pakistan, he would have eliminated the menace of terrorism within 90 days.

Talking to media persons after his visit to Data Durbar, the mausoleum of 11 century Saint Abul Hassan Ali Hajveri - where a terrorist attack Thursday claimed 42 lives and left at least 175 people injured - Imran said Pakistan is paying the price for fighting a proxy war for America, Online news agency reported.

Imran, who heads the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf noted that the war on terror has taken a heavy toll on Pakistan’s economy and alleged only a small group of ruling elite are profiting from the aid and loans.

He said security should be provided to Pakistani people and not to the political families.

Imran Khan said that a military operation was not the solution and it could not eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the country. Therefore, dialogue was the only solution as the US government has also decided to negotiate with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Hinting that the attack on Data Durbar was the outcome of a security failure, he charged the Punjab government with failing to maintain law and order in the province. He said the ratio of blasts has increased while there were no suicide attacks in the country before 2004.