President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for national unity, saying that terrorism and extremism can be defeated if the nation further fosters unity and strength in its ranks.
"People belonging to all provinces should fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism to save the federation", Zardari said while talking to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani and President of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan, who jointly called on him here on Saturday.
The meeting focused on the country's law and order situation, especially in the tribal areas and the strategy required fighting terrorism and extremism. They discussed prevailing law and order situation in the country and the measures to bail out country of the situation emerged due to suicide attacks and attacks on security forces in tribal areas.
They also discussed the ongoing strife in tribal areas and ways to address the issues of terrorism and extremism. The matters relating to army's professional capabilities also came under discussion. President Zardari reiterated the resolve of the government to continue the fight against terrorism, saying that Pakistan would continue its war against terrorism till the restoration of peace in the country.
"Nobody would be allowed to spread negativity in the country that could prove detrimental to national sovereignty", he said, adding that the government would not enter into dialogue with militants in tribal areas and the terrorists would be crushed with full force.
He said that the operation in tribal area would continue till the militants were flushed out. The President said that people of tribal areas wanted to get rid of terrorists and wanted to live in peace so they could play their role in socio-economic uplift of the country.
Zardari expressed his satisfaction over the competence and capability of armed forces that could efficiently tackle the difficult situations. "Pakistan is a sovereign country and foreign forces will not be allowed to take any action within the territory of Pakistan," Zardari said, adding that the armed forces of Pakistan were capable to handle the situation and deal with the terrorists.
He said that armed forces of Pakistan were national asset and the government would provide them all possible resources to defend the ideological and geographical borders of the country.
Meanwhile, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani in strongest terms condemned the suicide attack on Asfandyar Wali, which took place on Thursday evening in his "Hujra" at Wali Bagh near Charsadda.
Gilani said the government was committed to wipe out the scourge of terrorism, which was targeting the people of Pakistan. He said the unflinching resolve of political dispensation along-with the backing of entire nation would frustrate the ulterior designs of the terrorists.
He reiterated his government's resolve for the uplift of tribal areas, which would help in eliminating negative tendencies among the locals. Asfandyar said the coalition partners would extend support to the government in its commitment towards the eradication of terrorism.
He held the foreign elements responsible for suicide attack at him, and said such cowardly acts could not deter the ANP from pursuing national policy to ensure peace and stability in the country. He expressed optimism that things would start moving in the right direction soon, adding that the ANP's history was full of sacrifices and the party was not afraid of such tactics.
Briefing the President about the preparedness of Pakistan Armed Forces, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani said that the army was ready to face any challenge. Pakistan Army knew how to defend the frontiers in case of any aggression, he said.
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