ISLAMABAD: A high level meeting held here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani to review war against terrorism and law and order in NWFP decided that Chief of the Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will be responsible for all military operations in tribal areas and to keep the government informed.
The meeting decided that the Governor NWFP in consultation with the Federal and provincial Governments, will remain responsible for planning, execution and coordination of a well thoughtout, comprehensive development plan in FATA.
The meeting unanimously agreed that elimination of terrorism and extremism is the gravest challenge to Pakistan's national security and to fight this menace a multi-pronged strategy will be followed.
The main thrust of Pakistan's policy to counter this challenge will be political engagement of the people through their elected representatives, tribal elders and local influentials.
The meeting was held to review progress on the war on terror and the law and order situation in NWFP. The meeting was attended by Governor NWFP, Owais Ahmed Ghani, Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Minister for Environment, Najamuddin Khan, Minister for SAFRON, Mahmud Ali Durrani, Advisor to PM on National Security, Rehman Malik, Advisor to PM on Interior, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff and DG ISI.
It was agreed that in addition to the political instrument, large scale development, economic empowerment and selective use of military force will be the other prongs of the strategy.
It was decided that broad objective of this strategy will be to bring about peace, reconciliation and normalcy of life in the country and marginalize the hard core terrorists, militants and criminal elements, so that Pakistan's national interest reigns supreme.
The meeting decided to ensure that local tribal customs, traditions and "Rivaj" are respected by all representatives of the government including the military and law enforcement agencies and ensure that all foreign fighters will be expelled from Pakistan's territory.
The meeting decided that Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used against other countries, especially Afghanistan and under no circumstances will foreign troops be allowed to operate inside Pakistan.
It was decided that while the Provincial governments will be responsible for their jurisdictions, the Governor NWFP will be the Chief Coordinator for all activity in FATA and maintain intimate liaison with the Federal Government, Provincial Government, important political leaders and the local Military commander.
All agreements with the tribes in FATA will be backed by a robust enforcement mechanism. It was decided in case of non-compliance and violation of the agreement, the government will reserve the right to use force.
The meeting decided that the Governor will also lead all reconciliatory efforts, ensuring that political agreements made with the tribes are based on mutual respect and trust, drawing strength from the Riwaj; expulsion of foreign fighters will be the responsibility of tribes and they will be held accountable for the presence as well as actions of all foreign fighters.
The tribes will also be responsible for stopping cross border movement for militancy across the border from their areas. However, this will require intimate coordination between the political and the military/security prongs of the effort.
It was decided that tribes will not fight or target the Army, Frontier Corps and other law enforcing agencies in their areas.
They will be made to understand that the use of force by the military will be justified if the tribes act contrary to their obligations.
It was decided that Chief of Army Staff will be the Principal for application of the military effort.
Although Frontier Corps NWFP and Law Enforcement Agencies will be the instruments of the Governor and Chief Minister in their respective jurisdiction for law and order, they will fall under his command for military operations.
It was agreed that the Army Chief will have the authority to decide on the quantum, composition and positioning of military effort.
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