Govt has made up its mind – wait and watch!

• High-level security moot resolves to respond to any Taliban attack with full force
• Source says federal cabinet may decide to launch NWA operation in next fortnight 
• Nawaz tells security forces, intelligence agencies to remain alert to any terrorist plan
• Nisar says militants lack commitment in taking dialogue process forward and that they were only buying time

The Cabinet Committee on National Security (CCNS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday decided to follow a “wait and watch policy” on the peace talks process with the banned militant outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but resolved that any attack by terrorists would be responded with full force.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to share information with the federal and provincial governments about any terrorist attacks being planned anywhere in the country, while security agencies have been asked to remain at high-alert.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Rashad Mahmood, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila, ISI Director General Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam and IB Director General Aftab Sultan attended the meeting.

This meeting was significant in the wake of an announcement by the banned TTP to end the 40-day ceasefire agreement with the government. The body language of the prime minister and army leadership reflected a tense environment during the meeting, hinting that the tiff was more than just being between the civilian and military leadership.

Tensions had risen following strong statements by the defence and railways ministers against former army dictator Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf. This had triggered concerns among the army cadres. The participation of Khawaja Asif in the meeting, however, dispelled rumours about his possible resignation as defence minister.

The meeting took stock of the dialogue process with the TTP, the likely scenario in Afghanistan and India after recent elections, relations with Iran, and preparedness of the armed forces to face any war-like situation in the country.

A source privy to the details of the meeting told Pakistan Today that the prime minister has convened a meeting of the federal cabinet today (Friday) to discuss the recent developments on the peace dialogue, tensions between the government and army top brass and other matters.

“The prime minister has directed the forces to remain on high alert. The cabinet may take a decision to launch an army operation in North Waziristan Agency in the next fortnight. However, any decision may lead to an operation in at least two weeks time,” the source said. “Moreover, the premier directed the government agencies to improve the internal security which according to him was critical to economic and social development,” the source said.

“The premier also directed national security advisor Sartaj Aziz to devise a strategy to ensure a better working relationship with the new governments in both the neighbouring countries,” added the source.

An official statement however quoted the prime minister as telling the committee that the National Security Committee is an apex forum where every state institution gets an opportunity to provide inputs so that all national security-related decisions are taken through collective thinking. He said that the government wanted to put Pakistan on the path of development without involving in regional or territorial conflicts.

“Briefing on the dialogue process with TTP, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told the meeting that the recent signals by TTP suggested that there was not much hope for an immediate breakthrough in the dialogue process. He said that it looks as if Taliban wanted concessions from the government but were not ready to respond positively towards the government’s gestures,” the source said, adding that the minister said it seemed that the militants lacked commitment in taking the dialogue process forward and that they were only buying time.

The ISI DG shared information from different sources about the TTP threat. He also shared the likely situation emerging in India and Afghanistan following the ongoing elections in both the countries.

Moreover, the committee was briefed on the prime minister’s recent visit to China, especially Pakistan – China economic corridor and $35 billion worth of early harvest projects in energy, road infrastructure and railways.

Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar briefed the committee on improving economic indicators and Pakistan’s re-entry into the international bond market through successful launch of $ 2 billion Euro bonds.