ISLAMABAD, July 23: The heads of political parties making up the ruling coalition have called for negotiations to resolve the conflict in tribal areas and opposed the use of force, fearing that it might boomerang on the federation.

The unqualified assertion came after a meeting on Wednesday of heads of political parties at which the Chief of Army Staff and security chiefs took the politicians into confidence on the military operation in tribal areas.

The meeting did not touch the thorny issue of the deposed judges because it was held primarily to discuss the security situation, an official source told Dawn.

It was a lengthy interaction between the coalition leaders and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who was assisted by heads of premier security agencies.

The meeting resolved not to allow the country’s soil to be used for terrorist activities and to safeguard its sovereignty against foreign intervention.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Information Minister Sherry Rahman said it had resolved not to allow anyone to challenge the writ of the government or use Pakistan’s soil for terrorist activities.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman said the meeting had resolved that since Pakistan was capable of watching its interests, it would not allow any foreign power to interfere in its internal affairs.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani presided over the meeting. It was attended, among others, by Pakistan Muslim League-N president Shahbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazl, Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Pakistan People’s Party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Fata parliamentary leader Munir Orakzai, the prime minister’s adviser on interior affairs, ministers for information and state and frontier regions and the NWFP’s governor and the chief minister.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was not invited.

The first round lasted over five hours. The COAS and heads of security agencies joined the consultations after the first round. They briefed politicians on the security situation and the armed forces’ strategy in tribal areas.

Prime Minister Gilani briefed the participants on the situation and activities of the security agencies in tribal areas.

He also replied to the concerns of the ANP, JUI-F and representatives of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas about the ongoing operation.

The sources said the meeting also discussed the prime minister’s coming visit to the United States.

Maulana Fazl and Shahbaz Sharif complained that military operations had been launched without consulting coalition partners.

The sources said that the adviser on interior and the chief secretary and home secretary of the NWFP briefed the coalition leaders on the situation in Fata.

Asfandyar Wali raised questions about a change in the government’s policy on the “war on terror” and suggested that peaceful means should be given precedence over the use of force.

The leaders urged the government to immediately summon a session of the two houses of parliament to take a unified decision on all matters.

The government indicated that the parliamentary session would be convened soon after the prime minister’s return from the United States.

The coalition partners agreed on a need for maximum investment in less developed areas and improvement of infrastructure in inaccessible areas of Fata to establish the writ of the government.

The JUI-F chief told reporters that it was agreed to tell international players that Pakistan was fully capable of safeguarding its independence without compromising its vital interests and every power should respect this position.

He said participants had decided to implement all accords signed with tribesmen.

The information minister said in a written statement: “(There was) a clear consensus that the situation warrants the evolution of long-term policies across the board with the support of all political partners.

“It was noted that Pakistan’s national security and internal stability is paramount and that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state. “It was also agreed in principle that in order to mobilise public support for a greater national consensus on Pakistan’s battle against extremism and militancy, parliament will discuss the formulation of a national policy to address this issue.

“Greater cooperation between federal and provincial governments was also stressed, while the strengthening of civilian law-enforcing agencies was emphasised. To pursue the objective of making inhabitants of the affected area into stakeholders of a durable peace, the committee decided to increase investments in education, employment, development and infrastructure.”

PML-N information secretary Ahsan Iqbal said such meetings should be held periodically to brief the leadership on different issues.

Sources said Maulana Fazl returned to the Prime Minister’s House later to hold another meeting with Mr Gilani and Mr Zardari.