Gilani declares all-out war on militants

ISLAMABAD-In a decisive move, the PPP-led coalition government on Thursday gave go-ahead to the armed forces to quell insurgency in Swat and Malakand Division and eliminate the armed militants challenging the writ of the government.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while unveiling this decision in late night televised address to the nation announced the formal deployment of troops in Malakand Division to eliminate insurgency from the area expressing his firm resolve that the government will take strict action against militant and terrorist elements.
Prime Minister also announced Rs1 billion for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons promising employment opportunities for one member of a family that has lost life of any of its members at the hands of terrorists.
He said the decisions were taken as last resort after holding consultations with the political parties and other stakeholders, adding the government had launched reconciliation process in Swat and efforts were made to resolve the issue peacefully. He said the government accepted the demand for enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl for restoration of peace but regretted that armed militants continued to challenge the writ of the government.
We adopted the path of dialogue with good intentions and Nizam-e-Adl was enforced with the condition that militants would lay down their arms and peace restored, he said, adding: We had faced pressure. We were criticized for such policies but we took the decision for our national interests.
He said that in order to restore honour and dignity of the country, the armed forces have been called in to eliminate militants and terrorists. We will eliminate those who have tried to destroy peace of the country, he said.
He asked the nation to stand behind the armed forces as well as the government to defeat those who have earned bad name for the country. Prime Minister said that army had been called in for decisive action after due deliberations with all the quarters concerned. He further said that the nefarious activities of terrorists and militants to destroy the image of the country had reached the stage where the government felt constrained to believe that action is necessary against them.
He said for the economic revival aimed at eliminating poverty and creating employment opportunities, it became incumbent upon government to maintain peace in the area. Prime Minister asserted that the government would not surrender but would force the militants to lay down arms. We will not compromise. The nation must stand against those who imposed their will at gunpoint. They have held the country hostage, he said.
Prime Minister Gilani also launched appeal for international help for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and to enhance the ability of Pakistans law-enforcement institutions to meet the challenge.
He urged all the segments of society including politicians, students and Ulema to support the government and the armed forces in defeating the extremists.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was facing two major challenges that include threat to national security and economic revival.
Prime Minister condemned the incidents of 'shameful acts against women in Swat and other areas at the hands of the militant elements saying this not only earned bad name for the country but also put the lives of the local people under perpetual threat.
He also appealed to the international government to step up efforts to support the government in providing relief to the internally displaced persons of Swat, Malakand, Buner and other areas.