[DAWN] Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said "terrorism will continue to grow till [sic] religion is being sold as a commodity and hatemongers continue to spread sectarian hatred".He was addressing a workers convention of Pakistain Moslem League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Sialkot on Saturday.
Asif maintained that Moslem Ummah will not be united and religious differences will continue to strengthen if businesses continue to run under the disguise of religious practices.
"War against terrorism is the prime focus of all politicians but terrorism cannot be uprooted if ideologies are not changed," he said.
The minister added that terrorism is an ideology and a mental condition, whereas media can play a significant role in curbing terrorism and eliminating religious extremism.
During his speech, Asif strictly criticised media over allegedly blowing the sectarian conflicts out of proportion. Branding media as "businessmen," he said they are marketeers and only sell running products.
The defence minister claimed that those people are given air-time on media who exploit religious differences. "Such people are given airtime only because they bring in ratings and push forward the business agenda."
Asif was of the view that around 70 to 80 per cent terrorism had been wiped out as a result of operation Zarb-e-Azb
..the Pak offensive against Qaeda in Pakistain and the Pak Taliban in North Wazoo. The name refers to the sword of the Prophet (PTUI!)...
.