Fazl offers mediation on Swat issue

By: Nisar Mehdi | Published: June 08, 2009

Karachi - JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has proposed that a regional conference should be convened to discuss the course of action to defend the interests of the region.
“Pakistan, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, India and other countries of the region should meet at a summit to discuss regional interests,” he said while talking to reporters after his party meeting here on Sunday.
Answering a question, he said that terrorists could not be defeated unless the US and the NATO withdraw from the region.
“JUI-F can play a role for mediation and reconciliation in Swat but we can’t do so unless the army operation is brought to an end,” he said.
Fazal Ur Rehman said that recent statement of the U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, against the drone attacks on Pakistani territory was not enough. He said that the U.S. must prove its policy by actions instead of lip service.
“We had opposed the use of force from the day-one and now the U.S. administration too admits its flawed strategy. Unfortunately, the U.S. itself imposed war on this region,” he added.
To another query, the JUI-F leader said that unanimous resolution adopted in the parliament could help sort out the Swat conflict. He further said that it was the unity among religious parties that foiled the U.S. nefarious designs against Pakistan.

This news was published in print paper. To access the complete paper of this day. click here