Political leadership on Friday supported the military operation in Malakand Division but said it should be completed within minimum possible time. Giving in-camera briefing on Swat and IDPs situation to all the political parties at the Prime Minister House, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani apprised the leaders of the current state of operation.
He said that the army wanted the operation finished as early as possible with minimum human and material loss. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani thanked the political leadership for their continuous support to the government.
He said that this in-camera meeting has been organised to take the political leadership into confidence on the operation and answer their questions on the necessity of army action in Swat and the issue of IDPs. Gilani said Pakistan is at the crossroads of its history, the situation is fragile as militants have threatened the very fabric of our society, by trying to impose their will through coercive measures.
"The government had tried to resolve all issues democratically and peacefully. We had evolved a new 3Ds strategy to deal with the situation. Therefore the peace agreement with the NWFP government was endorsed by the Federal government.
But unfortunately, our sincere efforts to bring peace in the area were taken as our weakness and instead of decommissioning themselves, as agreed, militants started challenging the whole system of governance and stared spreading their influence to other parts of the country as well.
After exhausting all political and peaceful means, the Prime Minister said the government was left with no option but to call in the armed forces to take stern action against the miscreants. The armed forces are carrying on the operation with full commitment and high degree of professionalism.
"I am well aware of the fact that army operation is not the permanent solution to our problem and political dimensions need to be incorporated to reach consensus for guaranteeing lasting peace in these disturbed areas."
As the government firmly believes that Parliament is sovereign body, therefore taking of parliamentary leadership on board is very essential. I assure you that the input of today's meeting along with the suggestions/observations from the forthcoming APC will be incorporated in our national security policy to deal with the situation, Gilani said.
Talking to private media, Pakistan People's Party Sherpao Chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said that the operation should be concluded as early as possible but they were not given any timeframe. He said that even in the ruling alliance there was no consensus on the operation but the opposition would support the government in national interest.
He said the operation would be finished swiftly in Buner but feared obstacle and collateral damage in Mingora City. He said it would be difficult to predict at the initial stages whether the operation is successful.
Those who attended the meeting were Pakistan Muslim League (N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Parliamentary Leader JUI (F), Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Chief Minister Punjab and President PML (N), Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Parliamentary Leader PML (Q), Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Parliamentary Leader MQM, Dr Muhammad Farooq Sattar, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Parliamentary Leader PPP-(S) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Parliamentary Leader Fata, Haji Munir Khan Aurakzai, Parliamentary Leader BNP (Awami) in the Senate, Mir Israr Ullah Zehri; Governor NWFP, Owais Ahmad Ghani, Chief Minister NWFP, Mir Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Chief Whip National Assembly, Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, ANP leader, Muhammad Zahid Khan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Zaheeruddin Babar Awan, Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf; Chairman Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar; PML (F) leader, Pir Sadruddin Shah, Co-ordinator Special Support Group, Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmad, Major General Muhammad Zaheer ul Islam, DG-C, ISI and DG Military Operations, Major General Javed Iqbal.
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