Govt's three-pronged strategy

Not only this. The White House was advised by both, the State Department and the Pentagon, that Pakistan having failed to deliver, US special forces, are left with no other option but to undertake military operation inside the Pakistan territory, under the pretext of "hot pursuit" and even "self-defence" in case of any resistance by Pakistan forces. Lo and behold, the Bush, secretly signed such an order as far back as July 2008. It became public only in September 2008.

What a betrayal of a front line, non-NATO ally. Pak Army gave a befitting response after due warnings repeatedly given to the State Department and the Pentagon by the PM and COAS that the Government of Pakistan would not tolerate any infringement of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity by anyone in the name of combating terrorism. In spite of reassurance that the unfortunate incidents of crossing Pakistan's air space and ground frontiers were due to misunderstanding by local commanders, no watertight assurance has come forth from Washington that such incidents shall not be repeated in the future. In the meanwhile the message in respect of any future breach of Pakistan's sovereignty remains loud and clear as far as Islamabad is concerned, not withstanding the horror and devastation at the Marriott Hotel and subsequent acts of terrorism that unfortunately continue as well as violations of Pakistan's land and air spaces by US/NATO forces.

Speaking at an iftar dinner hosted by Gilani for foreign and national media at Islamabad, he said that the government had embarked on a three-pronged strategy to meet the challenges posed by the extremists in the tribal areas. Highlighting the new resolve of the present democratic government under President Zardari, the PM revealed the landmark features of this strategy as under.

"    The government desires to make peace deals with such elements amongst the tribal people who renounce violence and lay down their arms.