The ruling coalition, in a day-long critical meeting just a few days ahead of the Prime Minister's itinerary to the US, on Wednesday agreed to pursue a political discourse rather than operation to improve law and order in tribal areas, Swat and NWFP.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and was attended by PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, ANP chief Asfanyar Wali, JUI-chief Fazalur Rehman and NWFP Governor and Chief Minister.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing about the security situation in tribal areas, Swat and NWFP by Chief of Army Staff General Ishfaq Parvez Kiyani, Lieutenant General Nadeem Taj DG ISI and Shoaib Suddle DG Intelligence Bureau.
Sources said that the collation partners complained that they were not being taken into confidence on important government decisions. It was also learnt that expansion of Cabinet was delayed because PML-N had refused to revisit its decision as long as the judges issue was not settled.
Later, talking to newsmen, Minister for Information Sherry Rehman said that there was a clear consensus that situation demands evolution of a long-term policy across the board with the support of all political partners. The meeting, she said, noted that Pakistan's security and internal stability were paramount and no one would be allowed to challenge the writ of the state.
It was agreed in principle that to mobilise public support for greater national consensus on Pakistan battle against extremism and militancy, the parliament would discuss formulation of the national policy to address the issues.
The meeting stressed need for greater co-operation between the federal and provincial governments while strengthening of civilian law enforcing agencies was also emphasised. To pursue the objective of rehabilitating the inhabitants of the affected areas, it was decided to increase investment in education, development and infrastructure to ensure employment.
It was decided to pursue a multi-pronged strategy to fight the challenge of extremism with the thrust on political engagement. The coalition partners also reiterated that Pakistan territory would not be used for terrorist attacks, nor any attack from external forces on Pakistan soil would be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Fazlur Rehman told newsmen that the meeting had decided that political dialogue would be adopted, instead of operation, to resolve the problem. It was decided to review the policies and not to allow any one to interfere into Pakistan's territory, he added.
Earlier, in the morning, a meeting of the central executive committee of the PML-N, chaired by its President Shahbaz Sharif was held. Sources said that PML-N leadership was of the view that the party should call for restarting the process of talks in Fata, instead of using force in the collation meeting.