Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
The draft, drawn up at the end of the conference was signed by all the political parties in attendance. It was decided that another APC will be called to resolve the issues facing the terror-stricken province, Balochistan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that holding negotiations with terrorists was their own decision.
It was decided that if the negotiations with the militants don't work, "action" will be taken against them.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said keeping negotiations side by side with fighting terrorism is not a wise move. He added that sending the army to tribal areas was a big mistake and it is important to clarify to the people that this war on terror is their own war.
Terrorism needs to be tackled from its roots, said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar, adding that until now terrorism has only been fought against and not enough work has been done to eliminate the source.
Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that the decisions made by the political leaders will be implemented.
Drone strikes and US
General Ashfaq Kayani categorically stated that the country had no agreement with the US which allowed drone strikes in the country. It was agreed that the strikes violated Pakistan's sovereignty.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that America will maintain its strategic standing in Afghanistan, saying that it is not realistic to hope that the United States will leave Afghanistan by 2014.
Nawaz's opening comments
Nawaz said “Pakistan is in the grip of terrorists, we must not politicise this issue.”
Emphasising the importance of taking decision in a democratic manner, the prime minister said that people’s trust in democracy will strengthen if this government succeeds in tackling terrorism through consensus.
The prime minister further said that dialogue will be preferred over use of force but the final decision will be taken by the national leadership.
Political leaders, army chief and heads of security agencies have gathered at the Prime Minister's House for the APC, convened to come up with a solution for terrorism in the country.
ISI briefing
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam briefed the political leadership about the security challenges faced by the country.
Security situation in Karachi, Balochistan and Fata was the main part of the briefing.
Imran meets Nawaz, Kayani
Imran had a brief meeting with Kayani and Nawaz prior to the APC.
The leaders discussed national issues and the APC agenda.
APC
All major political parties have gathered today to evolve a consensus on how to tackle the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
The APC was earlier scheduled for July 12, but was delayed for multiple reasons.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had previously said that the government has prepared a “provisional” draft of the proposed national security policy, but added that it could be amended following input from the army and intelligence chiefs and political leaders.
He said the government has decided to model the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) after the US Department of Homeland Security – which was created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
A draft of the resolution can be viewed here.
COMMENTS (23)
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Taliban will never give up their ilegal arms .They will try to get their set mission till they are alive . Only a dead Taliban is a good Taliban .
Have you guys read the report? It's three pages of nothingness. What is wrong with our political parties? Three pages and it doesn't say anything new? We paid from them to sit there, payed for their food, their security, their vehicles, and this 3 page crap is all they have to show for it??
The great khan is confused. How come the US war has suddenly become pakistan's war. Plus he has no idea what negotiations entail. The terrorist will teach him how to negotiate. They will continue to kill while they negotiate forcing the government to concede to their demands. You can't negotiate from a position of weakness.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said keeping negotiations side by side with fighting terrorism is not a wise move. Shouldn't this also apply to the terrorist. They are continuing their mayhem while talking of negotiations.
@Iram: Thanks God you said Vote Wise.....
Former prime Minister is seeking Samiul Haq's help for the rescue of his abducted son!! thats how much leverage they will have in the talks.
2,809 People Died in Drone Attacks killed by America and Nato ... more than 40 K people died in Pakistan Killed by Taliban. Imran Khan Speaks for only 2 thousand people.hmm i dont consider him Leader cuz he speaks only for Pashtuns
"APC: Political leaders discuss negotiations with terrorists"
this sentence is self explanatory. Enough said.
You irresponsible media people are again going to provide ball-to-ball coverage and make it difficult for the leaders to move away from populist rhetoric? No wonder Imran Khan wanted a small private meeting with the PM and COAS
no poit scoring every body, work for Pakistan
Interesting that Imran's demand for a private briefing from Kayani was accepted. I dont think the government had any choice as an APC declaration without Imran on board would not have been credible and NS would lose politically from that. Also, it would have been politically incorrect to state the truth, i.e., that the reason only IK got this briefing because the other opposition leaders could not be trusted with state secrets. This is probably why the meeting has been down-played as "brief" when it is unlikely IK would have accepted to legitimize NS's terrorism strategy in return for a briefing that was not full and detailed. Chances are that a draft of the APC resolution has already been discussed with him and his broad approval has been obtained. Such co-operation between the 2 largest competing political parties and the army on an issue of national importance bodes well for the future.
@Way to go!: Name any good work.....???
@Saqib khan: If IK has nothing to do with it, why accepted his demands? IK is leader of second biggest party (vote wise). IK is the most sincere and honest or selfless person of this country. He is our last ray of hope. Is it enough?
@saqib khan Rule number 1: Immi always gets credit.
Good Work NS!!! what IK has to do with it. Huhh?
“Pakistan is in the grip of terrorists, we must not politicise this issue,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday in his opening comments at the much awaited All Parties Conference (APC).
Dear PM, your have been doing the same during Musharraf and Zardari eras which you don't want now?
Its good to see PM considering all sincere advices i.e. giving IK time as desired.
Now lets hope for a full fledge action plan all parties must stand on one point for one agenda. All the best GOP!
The only news source i relied on, now joins the main stream of publishing ambiguous news. Title has no link with the news. Highly misleading at that.
I seriously hope, we get the some solution via negotiations.... Enough of killings!