Carte blanche likely for security forces to eliminate terrorism

The defence committee of the cabinet (DCC) decided on Wednesday that security, defence and law enforcement agencies “will be authorised to use all means necessary to eliminate terrorists and militants.” The meeting, which went on for six hours, was chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and attended by federal ministers, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, services chiefs and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general. The defence minister did not attend the meeting as he was abroad, while the equally important slot of foreign minister remains vacant.
The meeting reviewed the security situation after the terrorist attack on Pakistan Naval Station (PNS) Mehran. “The security, defence and law enforcement agencies will be authorised to use all means necessary to eliminate terrorists and militants and coordinated efforts will be made to prevent and pre-empt acts of terrorism,” a clichéd press release said, suggesting that no orders had yet been issued in this regard despite the fact that the country continues to bleed. Seeking public support, the political and military leadership jointly made an appeal that all citizens should extend their full cooperation to the security forces, law enforcement agencies and defence forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism.
The DCC reiterated that national security was the foremost priority and all arms of the government would ensure that terrorist hideouts were destroyed using all appropriate means. “The national consensus on eliminating terrorism will be implemented through a well-coordinated and comprehensive strategy with the full support of the people and state institutions at all levels,” the DCC decided. The meeting expressed full confidence in the ability and the capacity of the armed forces and law enforcement and intelligence agencies in meeting all threats to national security. It was decided that the DCC would continue to meet regularly to develop further strategies and to update and closely monitor implementation of the counter-terrorism strategy.
Earlier, in his opening statement, the prime minister said Pakistan needed to revisit the steps required to avert and pre-empt such attacks. “I have no doubt that we have the will and capacity to deal with these challenges. Concerns have also been expressed about the safety and security of our strategy assets.
Any speculation in this regard is unwarranted,” he said. Gilani said the diversity and the quantum of challenges to national security demanded that the country might have to make a departure from its conventional thinking and look for out-of-the-box solutions and carve out alternative strategies. “I strongly believe that we have potential and resilience to face these challenges upfront and to meet the aspirations of our people. In today’s deliberations, we should also bear in mind the resolution unanimously adopted by the joint sitting of the parliament. I want, through this forum, a message to go out to the nation that our strategic assets are well-protected and our capability to defend our sovereignty, territorial integrity and liberties of our people, is very much in place,” he said.
Under the National Command Authority, the prime minister said, Pakistan had an effective command and control system for ensuring the safety and security of its nuclear weapons and related systems. “These arrangements conform to the highest international standards and practices followed by other nuclear weapon states,” he said, adding that the government was determined to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of its citizens. “It is imperative that we take steps urgently to enhance our intelligence capabilities and improve system-wide coordination for averting attacks. It is clear that we are now entering another defining phase in the struggle against terrorists and for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan. Our engagement with regional states and major powers has intensified,” he said.
Referring to the terrorist attack on PNS Mehran, Gilani said the incident was a serious threat to the country’s security paradigm but with the help of a resolute nation, Pakistan would surely be successful in overcoming this unique challenge. Gilani said the swiftly-changing national security paradigm had compelled the government to meet twice in one month. “We are here to take a holistic review of the impending threats to our national security with a view to find answers, to put an end to the concerns being expressed regarding the state of security of the country,” he said. He said in wake of the terrorist attack on PNS Mehran, serious concerns were being expressed about the government’s ability to deal with the gravity of problems posed because of terrorism.
“These concerns need to be clearly addressed and all efforts should be made to reinforce our capacity to effectively eliminate terrorism,” Gilani added. Expressing his government’s full support and solidarity with the officers and men of the armed forces for their services in ensuring national security, Gilani said a full investigation had been ordered into the PNS Mehran terrorist attack. “The people of Pakistan will never be intimidated by these acts of terror. Each terrorist attack reinforces our national resolve to eliminate this menace. There is no cause for any despondency,” he said.