Embassy spokesman says Pakistan pursuing comprehensive anti-terror strategy

WASHINGTON : The Pakistani embassy, rejecting assertions made in an American newspaper, has said the new government is resolved to fight terrorism through a comprehensive strategy that does not envisage talks with terrorists.
In a letter appearing in Sunday edition of the Boston Globe, an embassy spokesman stated the government’s anti-terror strategy aims at dealing with militancy in the tribal areas along the Afghan border without allowing concessions or breathing space to militants.
“This strategy includes the following: continuation of the war on terror more vigorously with the support of tribesmen; leaving the option of dialogue open with reconcilable elements, to isolate and marginalize the militants; initiating massive development projects to reduce poverty and generate employment; and working with the Afghan government to help secure the border and create conditions conducive for the repatriation of more than 3 million Afghan refugees currently in Pakistan, Press attache Nadeem Kiani wrote to editor of the newspaper.
Commenting on an editorial of the newspaper, he noted it was constructed on the false premise that the government had struck a deal with militants. “The new strategy does not envisage negotiations with the terrorists or withdrawal of troops from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The government has made it clear that there would be no negotiations with terrorists, and that any negotiations with those who would lay down their arms and give up militancy would be held from a position of strength and would be conditional on ending attacks on both sides of the border”.
Pakistan’s elected leadership, he reminded, considers the war on terror as Pakistan’s own war. “Our success in the war on terror is essential for the success of moderate democratic forces in Pakistan, who alone can bring real hope, peace, and prosperity to the people of the region,” the Press attache wrote.