ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s political leadership unanimously agreed on Monday to hold dialogues with Taliban in bid a to end terrorism which has claimed more than 40,000 lives over the decade.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday addressed the All Parties Conference which was held in Islamabad to find out ways and means to tackle the menace of terrorism.
Participants of the conference agreed to offer peace dialogues to the militants as they wanted to give a chance.
APC participants also agreed to hold another APC on the issue of Balochistan. They also supported efforts being made to bring peace in Karachi.
Sources said that political leadership also decided to take the matter of US missile strikes to the UN Security Council.
Director General ISI Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday briefed the All Parties Conference (APC) on the security situation and ways to eradicate terrorism and militancy.
“The army leadership apprised the political leadership of overall security situation in the country and challenges facing Pakistan in the war against terrorism,” sources said.
The participants were told that Pakistan has not signed any agreement on missile strikes.
The army chief, who answered questions of different political leaders, said that civil and military leaders were on the same page pertaining to the issues of national security.
Participants of the APC reportedly appreciated viewpoint of the army chief who later took the politicians into confidence over various security matters and held out the assurance that the political leadership’s decisions would be implement.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday addressed the All Parties Conference (APC) which formally commenced in Islamabad on Monday to find out way to tackle the menace of terrorism.
“At least there should be a consensus for no politicking on the issues of economy, terrorism and Pakistan’s energy crisis,” said the PM in his opening note.
He thanked the political leaders for attending the moot convened to devise anti-terrorism policy of the PMLN-led government.
“Overcoming the menace of terrorism‚ which has claimed lives of thousands of civilians and security personnel‚ will definitely lead us to the 21st century in real sense,” said the PM, and warned that “Pakistan will suffer greatly if we remained divided on the issue of terrorism.”
Sharif assured the nation that the government with the help of all political forces will tackle all issues on war footing basis.
Earlier, A meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan held in Prime Minister Office in Islamabad.
Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was also present in the meeting besides ISI Chief.
Imran Khan sought a special meeting with the Prime Minister and Army Chief before the start of All-Party Conference to get a special briefing on the issue of terrorism and get feedback from the government besides giving his proposals to tackle the issue.
All major political parties accepted the invitation to participate in the conference.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired the meeting.
Director General ISI will brief the meeting on security situation.
The Army Chief will also apprise the political leadership of overall security situation in the country. After that political leaders will express their views on the issue.
All Parties Conference (APC) to devise a strategy for peace and security in the country is being held in Islamabad on Monday.
Addressing a news conference on Sunday‚ Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will chair the meeting. He said the Prime Minister will also address the participants of the conference.
Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said that all major political parties have accepted the invitation to attend the conference. He said Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will also participate in the conference.
Interior Minister said‚ Director General‚ ISI will brief the participants of the conference about prevailing security situation in the country.
Later‚ the participants will also address the conference. He hoped that a consensus resolution giving a road map to overcome terrorism and ensure peace will be adopted at the end of the conference.
About law and order situation in Karachi‚ Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said the Prime Minister has held talks with leaders of different segments of society during his recent visit to the city to ensure peace there. He said so far sixty four targeted actions have been taken against the criminals.
