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| MPs seek review of anti-terror policy |
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Thursday, October 23, 2008
Civilian law enforcement agencies to replace Army; dialogue envisaged with all stakeholders;
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark achievement on Wednesday, parliament finally approved a 14-point resolution on the conclusion of the 15-day in-camera session that sought an urgent review of the country’s national security strategy and a revisit of the strategy to combat terrorism in order to restore peace and stability in Pakistan as well as in the region.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani moved the consensus resolution during the in-camera session that was adopted unanimously. Earlier, the 16-member parliamentary committee headed by Information Minister Sherry Rehman, after eight hours deliberations, came out with the consensus resolution.
The resolution also envisages to replace the Army, where possible, with civilian law enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity. The committee faced ups and downs in drafting a consensus resolution and even faced a threat from Maulana Fazlur Rehman to leave the coalition if a ceasefire for peace was not made part of the resolution. However, after eight hours of proceedings, the committee came out with the consensus resolution that adopted a middle way of holding dialogue with all the stakeholders and replacing the Army with civilian law enforcement agencies as early as possible.
The resolution also envisaged to form a committee for implementation of the principles framed and roadmap given in the resolution. The resolution also said that local tribal representatives should be included in any future strategy for the tribal areas. After adopting the resolution, the in-camera session was prorogued.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani read out the resolution that stated that the in-camera joint session of parliament hadd noted with great concern that extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and manifestations posed a grave danger to the stability and integrity of the nation-state.
In the past, the dictatorial regimes pursued polices aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of national interest. This House, having considered through and at great length is of the view that in terms of framing laws, building institutions, protecting our citizens from violence, eradication of terror at its roots, re-building our economy and developing opportunities for the disadvantage, we will commit to the following:
1) That we need an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability to Pakistan and the region through an independent foreign policy.
2) The challenge of militancy and extremism must be met through developing a consensus and dialogue with all genuine stakeholders.
3) The nation stands united to combat this growing menace, with a strong public message condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism, including the spread of
sectarian hatred and violence, with a firm resolve to combat it and to address its root causes.
4) That Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity shall be safeguarded. The nation stands united against any incursions and invasions of the homeland, and calls upon the government to deal with it effectively.
5) That Pakistan’s territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters, if found, shall be expelled from our soil.
6) That dialogue must now be the highest priority, as a principal instrument of conflict management and resolution. Dialogue will be encouraged with all those elements willing to abide by the Constitution of Pakistan and rule of law.
7) That the development of troubled zones, particularly the tribal areas, and NWFP (Pukhtoonkhwa), must also be pursued through all possible ways and legitimate means to create genuine stakeholders in peace. New economic opportunities shall be created in order to bring the less privileged areas at par with the rest of Pakistan.
8) That a political dialogue with the people of Balochistan, the redressal of grievances and redistribution of resources shall be enhanced and accelerated.
9) That the state shall maintain the rule of law, and that when it has to intervene to protect the lives of its citizens, caution must be exercised to avoid casualties of non-combatants in the conflict zone.
10) That the federation must be strengthened through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance, and equitable resource-sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973.
11)That the state shall establish its writ in the troubled zones, and confidence building mechanisms by using customary and local communities (Jirga) and that the military will be replaced as early as possible by civilian law enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity and a sustainable political system achieved through a consultative process.
12) That Pakistan’s strategic interests be protected by developing stakes in regional peace and trade, both on the western and eastern borders.
13) That mechanisms for internal security be institutionalised by: paying compensation for victims of violence; and rehabilitate those displaced from their homes as soon as possible; that spillover effects of terrorism be contained throughout the country and that public consensus be built against terrorism through media and religious participation.
14) That a special committee of parliament be constituted to periodically review, provide guidelines and monitor the implementation of the principles framed and roadmap given in this Resolution. This House authorises the Speaker to constitute the said Committee in consultation with the parliamentary leaders of both Houses. The committee will frame its own rules upon meeting.
In his winding up speech during the in-camera session of parliament, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani presented his government’s agenda saying it would not allow free hand to those who wanted that the majority should follow them.
He said Pakistan will not allow anyone, local or foreigner, to use its soil for attack on any other country. “If we want that others respect our territorial sovereignty then we should also respect the territorial sovereignty of other countries,” he added.
He said Pakistan is not a banana republic and it was the responsibility of all of us to respect the writ of the state. “We are determined to maintain the writ of the state,” he said.
He said the Constitution of Pakistan clearly states that the state will use its power through elected representatives of the country and it was also clearly mentioned in the Constitution that the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice would be followed. “But some persons wrongly interpreted the teachings of Islam for their own purpose but people of Pakistan will not allow them to impose their will,” he added.
He said the cancer of terrorism was not local but it had spread across the neighbouring countries and despite the government efforts they violate the territorial sovereignty of other countries.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
