Kayani briefs PM, Zardari, Nawaz on security, war on terror: Gillani plans multifacet

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Kayani briefs PM, Zardari, Nawaz on security, war on terror: Gillani plans multifaceted strategy against terrorism​

* Political engagement, economic development, credible military element central to strategy
* Meeting participants express concern over worsening situation in Tribal Areas​

By Zulfiqar Ghuman and Sajjad Malik

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani decided on Wednesday, following a briefing of the military’s role in combating terrorism, to formulate comprehensive “political policy guidelines” to find a political solution to the existing threat.

Earlier in the day, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani had briefed key cabinet ministers and leaders of the ruling coalition parties on the army’s anti-terrorism role, including existing challenges in the Tribal Areas, military efforts to stabilise the situation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and restoring normalcy to Swat.

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar told Aaj Kal that the prime minister had personally asked Gen Kayani to present the briefing and that Wednesday’s session at Prime Minister’s House was part of that.

Intelligence chiefs also presented a briefing on the co-operation between Pakistan and the United States and other war on terror partners.

Political-economic-military strategy: Following the COAS briefing, a government spokesman said that Gillani had decided to formulate a comprehensive strategy “based on political engagement, economic development and backed by credible military element” to combat terrorism.

Speaking to Daily Times after the briefing, parliamentary leader of FATA MNAs Munir Khan Orakzai said: “We will sit together in a few days and formulate a policy to deal with extremism and terrorism.”

Meanwhile, the AP news agency quoted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as reiterating his call for a “political” resolution to the conflict. “The solution should be through talks, and the constant use of force should end now,” he said, while conceding that the government had yet to work out its overall strategy.

Concern: According to sources, the military and civilian leaderships expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the Tribal Areas. They stressed the need to work together to achieve consensus and devise a workable plan to tackle terrorism, while addressing the concerns of the international community.

Underplaying the significance of the briefing, a former foreign minister, Sartaj Aziz, said that the military routinely briefed every new government on the country’s security situation. “It is a routine affair. The only difference is that, in the past, the briefing was given to the DCC [Defence Committee of the Cabinet],” he said.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan