security situation in the country

[shahidpiracha]

The prime minister assured that requirements of all agencies involved in combating militants would be met on a priority basis.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, all chief ministers, the president and the prime minister of Azad Kashmir and the governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, all corps commanders and army staff officers, chiefs of the Inter Services Intelligence, Federal Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, inspectors-general of all provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, chiefs of the Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary, federal ministers for finance, information, interior and defence.

Mr Gilani ordered the reopening of all educational institutions closed following twin blasts in the Islamic University in Islamabad after ensuring full security arrangements.

The prime minister ordered heads of sensitive security and intelligence agencies to streamline their performance to pre-empt the recurrence of terrorism, and promised to provide a generous flow of funds and equipment.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Kayani briefed the meeting about the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan and said it was successfully moving towards desired objectives, adding that the army was trying to minimise collateral damage.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik also gave an overview of the law and order situation.

The meeting praised the role of the media in formulating public opinion against terrorism and extremism, but said it should not glorify terrorists and terrorism and urged it to avoid live coverage of such incidents because it created panic and despondency.

Mr Gilani said that the entire nation was united against terrorists and failure was not an option despite the ferocity of their attacks, adding that elements challenging the state’s writ would be dealt with an iron fist.

Discussing short- and long-term counter-terrorism measures, the prime minister reiterated that the military operation in South Waziristan would continue.

The meeting reviewed strategies formulated by security agencies for the operation’s success and decided to solicit more political support.

The prime minister said that terrorism had destroyed peace, bruised national economy and threatened the people’s well-being.

The meeting observed that there was a nexus between militants and some terrorist organisations, directing provincial and federal intelligence agencies to monitor their activities.

Mr Gilani said that damage assessment in Malakand and Swat had been completed and the reconstruction phase was about to commence, and Rs50 billion had been earmarked for that purpose.

He said more than 120,000 people had migrated from South Waziristan and were camped in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, adding that the government would provide them a cash assistance of Rs5,000 per month in addition to rations and relief items.

The Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Farooq Haider and heads of law-enforcement agencies also briefed the meeting.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff and ministers for defence, interior, information, and finance, and chief ministers of Sindh, the NWFP and Balochistan held a separate meeting with the prime minister.



Shahid Piracha
(Medical Technologist,Molecularbiologist)