..the Pak offensive against Qaeda in Pakistain and the Pak Taliban in North Wazoo. The name refers to the sword of the Prophet (PTUI!)...
and underscored the need for bringing to logical conclusion efforts to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in the tribal areas.
They asked the government and the military to address extremism and work out a long-term strategy for eliminating militancy and terrorism.
The conference, convened by the government for a briefing on Zarb-e-Azb, was attended by the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly and military commanders.
This was the second conference on militancy in 12 months — the previous one held on Sept 9 last year had authorised the government to hold dialogue with the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain.
"There was absolute unanimity of views on the need to evolve a strategy to eliminate terrorism on a long-term basis. The meeting also agreed to work to address extremism," a statement said.
A senior parliamentarian, who attended the conference, said he witnessed "rare consensus" among the politicians against extremism and terrorism, some of whom even called for action against sectarianism.
The media statement on the conference also noted "the rejection of forces of Evil and their ideology" by the political parties and the nation as a whole.
The parties stressed upon the government to ensure effective border management to prevent the forces of Evil from returning to the region.
In this regard, the government was asked to engage Afghanistan politically and diplomatically for removing lingering distrust.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
, while speaking at the conference, recalled the circumstances that led to the launch of the military operation after his dialogue initiative failed.
Terrorism, he said, had resulted in massive casualties among civilians and security personnel, besides causing huge loss to the national economy.
Endorsing the military operation in North
Wazoo, "representatives of all political and religious parties agreed that the state has to fight and eliminate militancy".The participants were told that the military operation and contingency planning for pre-empting the feared blowback had been given the required legal and constitutional cover through the invocation of Article 245.