Parliament Adopts Consensus Resolution on National Security Policy

At the end of 15-days in-camera joint session of the Parliament on October 22, it adopted a consensus resolution that envisages need for an urgent review of national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of fighting 'war on terror'. The consensus resolution was recommended by the 16 member parliamentary committee comprising representatives of both treasury and opposition benches in the parliament. The resolution envisages appointment of an over-sight committee for implementation of the recommendations made through the Resolution. Local tribal representatives would also join the Committee in developing the future strategy for the tribal areas.

The resolution underlines the need for the following:

· Review of the National Strategy and the Methodology of combating 'war on terror';

· Meeting challenge of militancy and extremism through developing a consensus and dialogue with all stakeholders;

· Condemning terror through strong message condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism;

· Safeguarding Pakistan's sovereignty; disallowing use of Pakistan’s terror Tories for any kind of attacks on other territories;

· Following dialogue as the principal instrument of dispute resolution;

· Development of troubled tribal areas providing new economic opportunities to the local population;

· Political dialogue with peoples of Baluchistan, redress of their grievances and redistribution of resources;

· Protect lives of non-combatants in the conflict zones;

· Strengthening the Federation through democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values, tolerance, equitable distribution of resource-sharing between provinces;

· Establishing writ of the state in the troubled areas, confidence building through customary and local communities, replacing military by civil law enforcement agencies with enhanced capacity and sustainable political system;

· Protecting national strategic interests by developing stakes in regional peace and trade on the national borders; and

· Institutionalizing mechanism for internal security by paying compensation for victims of violence, re-habilitating displaced persons and containing spill over effects of terrorism.

The above Resolution incorporates the recommendations made by the former PM Nawaz Sharif in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on October 21, former PM Nawaz Sharif had suggested six guiding principles for evolving a consensus policy on ‘war on terror’. The former PM had asked the Government to hold comprehensive talks with all the stakeholders, as the use of force had not been successful in curtailing terrorism; ensure sovereignty of Pakistan and defence and protection of its geographical boundaries without making any compromise; restore good governance in the tribal areas through their own traditional political system; start the process of social and economic development along with concrete programs for employment in the affected tribal areas and Baluchistan; take measures to turn Pak-Afghan border into economic gateway with the restoration of peace; and finally ensure that Pakistan’s boundaries would not be used for carrying out terrorist acts against any neighbouring country. Mr. Nawaz Sharif had said that the current anti-terrorism strategy is based on the military operations alone, which is fatal; therefore, an all inclusive counters urgency strategy is needed. It should have broad based political support. In his view, military-led manoeuvres not only supplant the civil administration but also diminish capacity for negotiations and consolidating the gains. Pakistan should therefore use its influence with all stakeholders to encourage them towards political dialogue in restoring peace and stability in the region. Also, that all political parties share a collective responsibility to see that democratic system rises to the challenge and puts Pakistan back on track.