THE PRIME MINISTERS SECRETARIAT

25 June 2008

Today a high level meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister to review progress on the war on terror and the law and order situation in NWFP. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Environment and SAFRON, Chief Minister of NWFP, Governor NWFP, Advisors on National Security and Interior, the Army Chief and the DGISI. It was unanimously agreed that:-

• Elimination of terrorism and extremism is the gravest challenge to our national security. To fight this menace a multi-pronged strategy will be followed. The main thrust of our policy to counter this challenge will be political engagement of the people through their elected representatives, tribal elders and local influentials. In addition to the political instrument large scale development, economic empowerment and selective use of military force will be the other prongs of this strategy. The 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.
• Pakistan's national interest will reign supreme.
• Local tribal customs, traditions and Rivaj will be respected by all representatives of the Government including the military and law enforcement agencies. All efforts will be made to win the hearts and minds of the people.
• All foreign fighters will be expelled from Pakistani territory.
• Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used against other countries, especially Afghanistan.
• Under no circumstances will foreign troops be allowed to operate inside Pakistan.
• 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.
• In consultation with the Federal and Provincial Governments, the Governor will remain responsible for planning, execution and coordination of a well thought out, comprehensive development plan in FATA. All agreements with the tribes in FATA will be backed by a robust enforcement mechanism. In case of non-compliance and violation of the agreement, the Government will reserve the right to use force.
• The Governor will also lead all reconciliatory efforts, making sure that:-
  • The political agreements made with the tribes are based on mutual respect and trust. It must also draw strength from the Riwaj.
  • Expulsion of Foreign Fighters will be the responsibility of the 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.
  • The 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 the force by the military will be justified if the tribes act contrary to their obligations.
  • All agreements with the tribes in FATA will be backed by a robust enforcement mechanism. In case of non-compliance and violation of the agreement, the Government will reserve the right to use force.

The 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 jurisdictions for law and order, they will fall under his command for military operations. The Army Chief will have the authority to:-

·                    Decide on the quantum, composition and positioning of military effort. Principle of use of minimum force and avoidance of collateral damage will be kept in focus.

·                    Initiate swift operations based on actionable intelligence to eliminate terrorists and to stop hostile movement across the border for operations against Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.

·                    Decide on the level of liaison, contact and cooperation with ISAF in Afghanistan and keep the Government appropriately informed.

·                    Keep the Prime Minister, the Governor NWFP, Defence Minister and Adviser Interior informed about the operations.

END