Govt's three-pronged strategy

"    The government is in the process of finalising massive plans to invest in the development and social uplift of those residing in FATA for their socio-economic uplift. President Zardari was bending all his energies in New York to this end through the proposed Consortium being set-up through the efforts of "lovers of Pakistan" at global level.

"    As for those who refuse to surrender arms and took the law into their own hands by challenging the writ of the government including setting of courts to punish the citizens and indulging in attacks and bomb blasts against security forces and innocent civilians, the government is left with no other option but to use force against them as a last resort.

The PM invited the media to offer advice and assistance in meeting highly complex challenge. Gilani said "I also want to make it clear that we need peace not only within Pakistan but also in our region which requires your (the media) cooperation and collaboration to achieve this objective." Gilani appeal to the international media to join hands with the media of other regions including that of Pakistan to endeavour in all earnestness to mitigate human suffering and suggest waves and means for alleviating poverty and hunger. This is a very positive and welcome approach for the implementation of the three-pronged strategy. Finally, as far the three-pronged strategy discussed above, it would be only fare to concede that the Consortium proposed by the Lovers of Pakistan at global level could prove to be a Marshal Plan for Pakistan under our present situation of the worst economic crisis in Pakistan's history.

The writer is the president of the Pakistan National Foundation

E-mail: ikramullah@nation.com.pk