Coalition partners meeting reviews security in tribal areas, Swat, NWFP

ISLAMABAD:A meeting of the government’s coalition partners agreed on Wednesday that parliament will discuss the formation of a national policy to mobilize public support for a greater national consensus on Pakistan’s battle against extremism and militancy. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was held to review in detail the security situation in the tribal areas, Swat and NWFP.
The meeting was attended by the coalition partners Senator Asif Ali Zardari Co-Chairman PPP, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Chief Minister Punjab, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, JUI Chief, Asfandyar Wali President ANP, Owais Ahmed Ghani Governor NWFP, Amir Haider Khan Hoti Chief Minister NWFP, Sherry Rehman Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Najimuddin Khan Minister for SAFRON, Rehman A. Malik Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj Director General ISI and Shoaib Suddal, Director General Intelligence Bureau.
There was a clear consensus that the situation warrants the evolution of long-term policies across-the-board with the support of all political partners, said a statement issued after the meeting.
The meeting noted that Pakistan’s national security and internal stability is paramount and that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state.
“It was also agreed in principle that in order to mobilize public support for a greater national consensus on Pakistan’s battle against extremism and militancy, parliament will discuss the formation of a national policy to address this issue,” the statement said.
Greater cooperation between federal and provincial governments was also stressed, while the strengthening of civilian law enforcing agencies was emphasized.
To pursue the objective of making the inhabitants of the affected areas into stakeholders for a durable peace, the committee decided to increase investments in education, employment, development and infrastructure.
The main thrust of the coalition partners’ multi-pronged strategy to counter the challenge of extremism will be political engagement of the people.
The coalition partners also reiterated that Pakistan’s territory will not be used for terrorist attacks, nor will attacks from external forces on Pakistan’s sovereign soil be tolerated.