PM presented options for responding to Taliban attacks
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ISLAMABAD: The military and national security aides presented on Tuesday options to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for responding to Taliban terror attacks across the country.
Mr Sharif’s meeting with his national security team came against the backdrop of possibly the worst wave of terrorist attacks in the country this year.
Taliban militants in the country have attacked the Karachi airport, personnel of a sensitive institution in Fatehjang and troops in tribal areas and those having sanctuaries in Afghanistan have carried out deadly strikes on border posts in Bajaur. Sectarian militants affiliated with Taliban have, meanwhile, targeted pilgrims in Taftan.
Those who attended the meeting included Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad and head of counter-intelligence at ISI Maj Gen Nasir Dilawar Shah.
Military wants stern action against militants
A brief statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said: “Matters relating to internal and regional security, including Fata, Karachi and Balochistan were discussed.”
The meeting also reviewed reports by law-enforcement agencies on the recent incidents based on preliminary findings.
Prime Minister Sharif has so far been sticking to the dialogue option for finding a solution to the Taliban militancy.
However, a source claimed that the military had ramped up pressure for a sterner response to the attacks by Taliban. The military’s case has been built on the premise that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has again started owning up the strikes; and Fatehjang and Karachi attacks, in particular, mark the crossing of the redline.
Officials were not ready to say if the government agreed to the military demand for more punitive strikes.
“The prime minister is looking at a range of options and a final decision may be taken at a meeting of the National Security Committee likely to be held later this week or next week,” an official said.
It is said that before taking a decision the prime minister will also like to see progress on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Khan’s attempt to use tribal jirga for evicting militants from North Waziristan.
The discussions at the national security meeting will be internally shared by the military at its Formation Commanders meeting on Wednesday.
Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2014
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Comments (55) Closed
Jun 11, 2014 07:53am
It may be hair splitting in a way. But there is something fundamentally wrong in the seating arrangements which is actually a very strong reflection on the internal dynamics of power equation in Pakistan. And this dynamics needs to change. The PM and Chief of Forces are almost seated jointly as head. This is wrong. The PM should be the head and all other attendees. And the seating arrangement must reflect the same.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:00am
Please get rid of this Taliban maniac or otherwise we will be no more. These are bunch of thugs and outlaws and Islam has never touched their souls. Taliban are totally misguided and has been playing in the hands of the enemies of Islam and Muslims.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:04am
This P.M is scared for his safety and his kids. That is why he is not making taliban his enemy. Also on the other hand he does not want army to come in the limelight as they may even take over his govt.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:13am
An eye for an eye makes the world blind...Negotiations is the way to end and curb this...Terrorists are killing innocent people in action and it will be fair to say that innocent lives are lost in military raids....let us not kill innocent people...I am sure the issue can be resolved by dialogue...May god bless all and save the lives of thousands of people dying daily due to this violence.....Please be open to dialogue and save lives...
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Jun 11, 2014 08:15am
The best option is to move all army officers to N. waziristan and fight TTP for a long time.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:19am
PM has no capacity to take decisions.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:28am
We are still missing the root cause!
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Jun 11, 2014 08:32am
Gov should suggest that all militants will be given self rule in azad kashmir provided all of them relocate there , militants can form their own government in azad kashmir and give full independence to azad kashmir.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:32am
Half hearted response is useless? pass resolution, conduct inquiry are old tricks to pacify public reaction.
Looks like We have to face this till This government complete its terms. No one can do any thing except to pray for safely come home every night.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:38am
@karachi Either the PM is not capable or more likely he is under pressure from the
"friendly" country who recently gave a rather big "gift" of usd 1.5b. Something is really
there in his mind otherwise masses see no reason for delaying the ultimate action and
instead "trying" to continue the dialogue with the terrorists - the TTP.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:41am
Give the army a free hand to control the Taliban. Everything else has failed. The recent attacks in Karachi have clearly demonstrated that Taliban have an upper hand. Let military start an offensive and crush them before they do more harm.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:47am
I don't know if military operation is the correct course! But I do know that the Fed Govt doesn't have to capacity to deal with this problem.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:51am
problem is TTP has spread out its merchants across the country in big numbers... this is what happened in Karachi... these people did not come from N Waziristan. It seems they were already settled in Karachi for a long time. So only striking NW will not give the results.... make use of technology big advanced scanners, surveillance systems etc in all the cities that would highlight any thereat. STAY PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE.
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Jun 11, 2014 08:54am
Nawaz Sharif has no idea and confused how to tackle with TTP menace.
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Jun 11, 2014 09:01am
lets invite then for more talks!!
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Jun 11, 2014 09:13am
I guess the PM wants a louder wake up call
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Jun 11, 2014 09:22am
The sitting arrangement in this meeting explain Pakistan's problems in a nutshell. COAS is sitting as a peer of the Prime Minister, not as a subordinate.
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Jun 11, 2014 09:28am
What do you mean Options?
Is there an Option Not to arrest them? They claimed it, so GO get them!
What are you guys waiting for ? Someone to serve you tea?
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Jun 11, 2014 09:33am
It's for sure to take action but make sure to eradicate terrorism once for all in next three months before it gets too late
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Jun 11, 2014 09:37am
Yea, lets replay 1971.
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Jun 11, 2014 09:39am
i can't understand why this favor is being given to TTP by this Government . . what are the reasons behind this ??
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Jun 11, 2014 09:45am
This issue is not only Pakistan's issue. Our current and past government have failed the nation for their basic right of security. It is time now that UN, NATO and even Indians should help because next thing will be targeted nuclear arsenals. Whole world will be on stake except Saudi Arabia because evil Taliban gets their ideology from that school of thought. General Sahrif & Kayani were the worst military chiefs and now the whole nation is paying the price by their innocent blood and lives due to their cowardliness.
Zardari & Sharif both should be tired along with Iftiqar Chaudhrey in military courts for making Pakistan so vulnerable and weak. Military should take over the country and arrest and execute all pro Talibans and anti state politicians,
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Jun 11, 2014 09:46am
Best option is to FENCE all the border with AFGHANISTAN. Impose Economic blockade on AFGHANISTAN for next 5 years on non-negotiable terms. There is lack of initiative, imagination, sincerity and leadership.
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Jun 11, 2014 09:53am
The greatest enemy of pak are pakistanis themselves..!
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Jun 11, 2014 09:55am
Unless a comprehensive approach is taken nothing will solve the problems of militancy in Pakistan. Eliminate the sanctuaries of the Quetta Shura and the Haqqani Network and their affiliates; the good Taliban bad Taliban game has to end.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:10am
@Parvez The govt has the capacity to undertake an effective response, but the elected leadership is ironically not resolute enough to implement its writ.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:16am
I feel really sorry when i hear about my country i feel shame when its in International NEWS paper saying bad about Pakistan. See the link and you will be ashamed.
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/pakistan-expats-avoiding-travel-home-over-terror-fears-1.1345591
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Jun 11, 2014 10:16am
@omer khan shaheen It is Kashmir.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:22am
Mr. Sharif is not going to take action until and unless someone very close to him is killed by the taliban. The killing of innocent Pakistanis does not bother him much.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:25am
we don't know whats the strategy behind all this..may be militants wants our army to get occupied in North so when there is any assault from India, our forces wont be in a position to defend.. after all whats happening in NW is also foreign funded.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:26am
The country needs statesmen and not cowards.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:32am
There is nothing to "TALK" about. Attack at all Fronts or let people of Pakistan deal with the Taliban,i am pretty sure the People will do a Better job than the Politicians or the Corrupt Military.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:34am
@omer khan shaheen
I am dying to know the root cause for this indiscriminate killing of innocent , for destruction of our airforce jets and civilian aircraft which are to be used in a war if needed , also attacks on mosques and minorities , also kidnappings and bank robberies in the name of Islam. So please tell us the ROOOOT CAUSE which has become a CAUSEWAY now.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:35am
What are you waiting for Nawaz Sharif? Take action against these in just the same way as the Sri Lankan Armed Forces did against the Tamil separatists. Wipe them from the globe.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:44am
TTP and their banned outfits are the allies of PML-N; how can they launch offensive against themselves?
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Jun 11, 2014 10:45am
Waiting for the attempt of KPK governor to evict militants via tribal jirga and taking final decision in the meeting of National Security Committee, Well, I think Nawaz Sharif lacks decisive quality. He cannot take final decision at least now how to deal with the Talibans. To me peace-negotiation is of no use. Secondly, military air-strikes are counter-productive. Sadly to say, many civilian casualties were reported in the last week's strikes. What government needs to do is to provide shelter to the civilians and to let them move to the where they can be safe prior to military operation. In the final analysis, this would definitely leads to peaceful Fata in particular and Pakistan in general.
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Jun 11, 2014 10:46am
I have a novel idea that PM should invite representatives from TTP on Qeema Mattor Party (preferably Lahori!). As Mr. Obama showed his liking for that dish during his meeting with our His Excellency PM.
As our army is very occupied in developing DHA colonies and building industrial giants and our bureaucracy is busy in running musical chair match for PCB Chairmanship, PEMRA Chairman, Metro Bus/ Train etc.....
So this meeting can be considered as a valid option. Because, our PM will then be able to take all stakeholders i.e. American, TTP, Afghans on board. The Indians might joins us if we include Paneer Fry as a vegetarian option.!
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Jun 11, 2014 10:57am
Attacks by Taliban is a good attempt to divert peoples attention from:
1) Rising taxes
2) Inability to deliver basic health services
3) Inability to provide potable water
4) Inability to provide electricity
5) Inability to control losses in state run enterprises
When there will be pressure on them to deliver they request Taliban to attack again.
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Jun 11, 2014 11:01am
Look at the way an important national lssue is being deliberated on! Is this a courtesy call or a meeting to chart fresh options?
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Jun 11, 2014 11:09am
Taliban is like a joker in the deck
of cards really helpfull for the present goverment to hide the flaws on the governance of the
country we call pakistan.if Taliban
is gone who to blame.so Taliban
is becoming an integral part of
for the rulers of Pakistan.
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Jun 11, 2014 11:11am
Pakistan's Military is given too much power/money. I think private security forces should be hired instead. This will make the country a preemptively better place.
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Jun 11, 2014 11:49am
@Ahmed then who will run DHA, FERTILIZER factory and other businesses
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Jun 11, 2014 11:51am
@Khan ....my dear Americans could not do so...what makes you think that we will be able to with this meager resources...
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Jun 11, 2014 11:57am
@dv1936 they had a free hand in Bangladesh against a bunch of Mukhtibaini... what did we achieve
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Jun 11, 2014 11:59am
How do you expect government and military to sort these people out when the citizens don't pay taxes, steal electricity, give and take bribes, and generally don't care about each other.
PEOPLE need to change; otherwise MNA and MPA will do whatever they been doing for last 50 years.... which is nothing.
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Jun 11, 2014 12:11pm
If they are being funded by foreign elements then will they stop blood shed on negotiations?? Stop their funding else keep fighting them.
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Jun 11, 2014 12:13pm
The politicians will look for political advantage in the situation. They will not allow the defence forces to do their sworn duty of protecting the motherland.
I weep for Pakistan. We could be so much more than we are, if only we had the leaders to lead us.
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Jun 11, 2014 12:14pm
I don't think the government will opt for a full & final attack. Pakistanis will continue to suffer at the hand of TTP. This is the destiny.
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Jun 11, 2014 12:16pm
@omer khan shaheen Don't look for excuses. The TTP must be wiped out or surrender unconditionally, then we we discuss why they are insane murderers
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Jun 11, 2014 12:25pm
The PM has his head in the sand and will not take it out to breathe fresh air.
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Jun 11, 2014 02:08pm
I think table talks are not an option here. Talks are successful where the other party has some just and reasonable demands. TTP on the other hand kills to get paid. You can not reason with them. in my opinion, a military op is now needed, as bitter as it sounds and the consequences it may have, this is the only viable option. Our nation is already suffering, people die everyday, it is time to put an end to this. Op should be conducted in NW and after a clean up, Army should establish it's cantonments in the region. Also, it is time to seal the Afghan border. Iran is doing it, why can't we?
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Jun 12, 2014 10:43am
@Syed Thank you Sir for the best analysis of the situation. Hat tip to you. This is why everyone is happy Americans are doing your work.
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Jun 13, 2014 03:19pm
We should take help from china and end this issue once and forall.
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Jun 14, 2014 03:27am
What options are you talking about? There is no option except than to kill these terrorists.....ALL OF THEM.
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Jun 14, 2014 03:59am
If only PM Sharif could clearly spell out the demands of talibans . What do they want ? Imposition of their version of Sharia or there is any other motive behind their attacks ?
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