Leaders take up Taliban threats, Karachi operation

• PM shares salient features of national security policy with military leadership in high-level meeting

The country’s top political and military brass on Monday fine-tuned its strategy to deal with the major internal, external and regional challenges, including discussing at length the pros and cons of talks or operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan, COAS Gen Ashfaq Kayani, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and ISI DG Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam attended the meeting.

A source privy to the deliberations told Pakistan Today that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif discussed the salient features of the national security policy of his government with the military leadership.

“The prime minister did his homework and sought concerns and proposals from the military top brass before convening the all-parties conference (APC) due to be held in a week’s time,” the source added.

The source added that the prime minister was assisted by Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan who briefed the security policy proposals prepared by National Counterterrorism Authority (NACTA).

The meeting also discussed the government’s response to the possible protests over likely US attack on Syria, while PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi briefed about the US plans to attack on Syria and possible repercussions and outcry across the Muslim World in reaction to such a strike.

Another source, however, said the meeting also discussed at length the targeted operation in Karachi.

An official statement quoted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who chaired the high-level meeting to review the overall security situation of the country, as saying that national security was the top-most priority of his government and all resources would be utilised to ensure it.

“All political forces must rise to the occasion so that national consensus is evolved to address the problems faced by the country. A broad-based national consensus among all stakeholders would surely enable us to find enduring solutions to our problems,” he added.

The meeting discussed issues pertaining to national security including the internal and external threats faced by the country.

Nawaz also said the federal government would extend every possible assistance to the Sindh government for restoration of peace in Karachi.

The prime minister directed the interior minister to finalize proposals to be presented in the forthcoming federal cabinet meeting in Karachi, so that a comprehensive strategy could be evolved to improve the situation in the financial hub.

A special meeting of the federal cabinet over Karachi unrest, which was scheduled for today (Tuesday)‚ will now be held on Wednesday in Karachi on the occasion of Prime Minister Nawaz’s two-day visit to the city.

The PM will reportedly hold meetings with trader organisations and political leadership.

Earlier, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan briefed participants of the meeting on law and order in the country, with a particular focus on Karachi. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was also present in the meeting.

He presented a report on Karachi situation to the Prime Minister. Sources said that the government has finally decided to order a targeted operation in Karachi.

The meeting also decided to summon the names of proposed committee that would monitor the operation.