Foreign elements behind terrorism

On the first day of the Parliament’s in-camera joint session, senior military officials made a detailed presentation on the war on terror while they would answer questions of the parliamentarians on Thursday (today).  

Meanwhile, an official press release stated that a joint session of the Parliament was held in-camera in the Parliament House today (Wednesday). Major General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, Director General (Military Operations) briefed the members of the Parliament on the law and order situation and security in the country.

According to the press release, the August House was informed that to curb menace of terrorism, internal security operations had to be undertaken in FATA and Swat. It was informed that the Armed Forces have successfully conducted the operation with the support of local people who have risen against the militants by forming “Lashkars” in the affected areas. The House was informed that the Government was making all efforts to defeat extremism and terrorism, and bring peace and prosperity to the affected areas.   

The meeting was attended by almost all the MNAs and Senators. The Governors of Punjab, Balochistan, NWFP and Chief Ministers of all the provinces besides Mian Nawaz Sharif, Ch. Shujaat Hussain and General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff attended the briefing on special invitation of the Speaker National Assembly.   

Earlier, sources told The Nation that the presentation made by the military officials was of routine nature, inter alia, indicating how many Taliban were killed or arrested during the operations in the tribal and other bordering areas. Although the members of the Parliament were asked to take oath that they would not reveal the proceedings of the session, the sources said there was hardly anything sensitive of that nature other than films showing Taliban execute their captives.