To tackle the problem of terrorism the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharief with his allies hold an all parties conference today.
In the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad after the end of the conference a consensus resolution to overcome the “national security crisis” besetting Pakistan.
The resolution affirms that Pakistan will make its own decisions in the war on terrorism and no dictation will be taken from America or any county in this regard.
Chief of army staff General Ashfaque Kiyani and DG ISI gave a briefing to the participants of All parties Conference on the issue of terrorism and national security which is also referred to as “War orn Terrorism”
Leaders from all major political parties participated in the APC, this included the leaders of PPP Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Khurshid Shah, PTI’s Imran Khan, Jamaat e Islami’s Liaqat Balouch, Mian Aslam Pakhtoon Khwa Milli Awami Party’s Mehmood Khan Achakzai, ANP’s Haji Adeel, Jameeat e Ulema e Pakistan’s Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, MQM’s Farooq SattarBNP’s Akhtar Maingal, Pakistan Muslim Legue Functional’s Peer Pagara and others.
Prime Minister in his speech said that he respects the mandate of all parties and will not do any politics on maters of terorism and energy.
It appeared to be the obvious reason that the APC in its eight-point resolution underscored the need for “negotiating peace with our own people in the tribal areas”.
And this is the only difference one can figure out in the declarations of two earlier APCs — one organised by the Awami National Party (ANP) on Feb 14 and the other by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) on Feb 28. Both the conferences had recommended dialogue with the Taliban fighting against the army.
Leaders also observed that previous resolutions passed by Parliament emphasised on “the imperative need to review our national security strategy, in the context of an independent foreign policy, with focus on peace and reconciliation, and to attach the highest priority to dialogue.”
These included the two resolutions adopted at the APCs organised by the JUI-F and ANP; one held by former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sept 29, 2011; one by a joint sitting of parliament on May 14, 2011, and another in-camera joint sitting on Oct 22, 2008; recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security in April 2009; and a resolution adapting the guidelines set by the PCNS and passed by a joint sitting of parliament on April 12 last year. The resolution acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces but agreed that they didn’t receive due recognition.
The APC also agreed that the “illegal and immoral drone attacks” carried out by the United States and “the blow-back form actions of Nato/ISAF forces in Afghanistan” are detrimental to peace in Pakistan.
“We declare that we shall ourselves determine the means and mode of fighting this war in our national interest and shall not be guided by the United States of America or any other country in this regard,” it said.
The resolution asked the government to “consider the possibility of taking the drone issue to the United Nations as drone attacks are a violation of international law.”
“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan are paramount and must be safe-guarded at all costs,” said the joint resolution. “We reaffirm our complete trust and confidence in our valiant Armed Forces and assure them of our full solidarity and support in overcoming any challenge to our national security or threat to our national interests.”
The meeting also deliberated on the separatist militancy and terrorism in Balochistan, and decided to authorise the provincial government to “initiate the process of dialogue with all estranged Baloch elements.”
“We are cognizant of the troubled situation in the Province of Balochistan and are fully aware of the concerns of our Baloch brothers and sisters,” said the joint resolution. “This meeting authorises the Provincial Government of Balochistan and its Chief Minister to initiate the process of dialogue with all estranged Baloch elements inside and outside of the country with a view to bring them back to national mainstream.”
Regarding the security situation in Karachi, the meeting called on the provincial and federal governments to address the “continued threat to life, property and business” in the commercial capital.
The meeting was attended by Army Chief Kayani, DG ISI Zaheerul Islam, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, all four provincial chief ministers and governor, and the leaders of all mainstream political parties of Pakistan.
Political leaders attending the conference included Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PT) chief Imran Khan, Jamat-i-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hasssan, head of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam- Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) senior leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar, Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F) chief Pir Pagara, Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Haji Adeel, Balochistan National Party- Mengal (BNP-M) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) chief Chudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Prior to the conference PTI chief Imran Khan held a separate meeting with COAS Gen Kayani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.