Military operation in Fata also discussed; Gilani says use of force alone no solution
ISLAMABAD: In a rare but highly welcome gesture, Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday gave a detailed briefing on security issues, including the war on terror and the situation in the tribal areas, to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the heads of the allied parties of the ruling coalition and key members of the cabinet at the PM House.
After the briefing, Prime Minister Gilani, in consultation with coalition partners, decided to conduct a detailed evaluation of the situation, as presented by the Army, in order to come up with the policy guidelines to address the menace of terrorism and extremism, through a comprehensive strategy based on political engagement and economic development backed by credible military element. “If needed, the Army would be called for assistance,” the premier said in the meeting.
PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, JUI’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan envoy to Washington Mehmood Ali Durrani and Minister for Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan were present in the meeting.
This is the second time in the recent political history that the GHQ briefed the political leadership on important security matters. Earlier, during the government of prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo, the DG ISI had briefed the parliamentarians in camera on the Geneva Accord.
The COAS gave a detailed account of all the efforts made so far to control the situation in Fata and to bring normalcy to Swat. The prime minister thanked the Army chief for the presentation.
A few days ago, top US officials, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, had visited Pakistan and held meetings with all the top politicians of the country. Washington seemed particularly concerned about any lack of commitment or support to the US from the new Pakistani leadership in the ongoing war on terror. Washington also has reservations about the new government’s intention to hold a dialogue with the militants.
Sources told ‘The News’ that General Kayani, during his briefing, took the prime minister and the leadership of the ruling alliance into confidence on the ongoing military operation in the tribal areas. He also highlighted various matters with reference to cooperation with the US in the war on terror as well as the issue of interference from Afghanistan inside Pakistan areas.
The sources said the political leadership had earlier held consultation on initiating the dialogue process in the tribal areas. It was agreed that the ANP leadership could play an effective role on this count. “The ANP leadership will hold talks with the tribal dignitaries,” the sources added.
The prime minister said the country’s integrity and security was above all other issues. “Terrorism is a serious issue. But the use of force alone is not the solution. We will have to consider other aspects too to curb this menace.”
The sources said it seemed that with the new government in place, the policy on the war against terror was undergoing some basic course correction. Earlier, in the day, the Foreign Office spokesman declined to comment on what role President Musharraf would play in shaping the new policy.
