Qureshi says force not enough to root out terror: Osama hunt by US not allowed

NEW YORK - Pakistan and the United Nations would now start work on the modalities of the independent commission which Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has agreed to set up to probe into Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Saturday as he gave the assurance that the inquiry would not be “intrusive”.

He was responding to questions about the implications for Pakistan of a probe by the UN commission at a largely attended meeting of members of the Pakistani community at the Pakistan House.

“All its aspects and pros and cons were taken into consideration before making the request,” Qureshi said.

The move for the probe was based on the aspirations of the people expressed in the unanimous resolutions adopted by the National Assembly and four Provincial Assemblies, he said. The people of Pakistan, he said, wanted to get to the bottom of the conspiracy to kill Ms Bhutto, who was no ordinary leader.

That’s why the government sought an independent, impartial inquiry by the UN.

Closely questioned on the issue, the Foreign Minister said the commission’s terms of reference would be carefully drafted so that the inquiry does not become “unnecessarily intrusive”.

Responding to questions about the timeframe for the commission to complete it’s work, the Foreign Minister said the intention was for it to be completed “in the shortest possible time” and not become “a lingering thing, going on for years”.

Qureshi also said he had told Bush administration officials during his visit to Washington on Friday that while Pakistan will not hesitate from using force where and when required, terrorism could not be fought through military force alone.

“Our strategy is that the military option alone is not enough,” he said.

“This war has to be fought besides the armies, with the help of the people, by winning hearts and minds,” he said, adding that a multi-pronged approach that combined political engagement with social reforms could effectively fight the menace.

In an effort to address the apprehensions voiced by members of the community over US threats to intervene in the tribal belt, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used by any other country.

“Our concerns are known to them we believe that action in Pakistan will be taken by Pakistani troops, we cannot permit any foreign troops in Pakistan.

They are very aware of the people’s sentiments.”