Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will convene a national conference here next week to evolve a common strategy to combat terrorism and extremism.
Leadership of major political parties will attend the conference which is being called after Prime Minister Gilani on Saturday night called Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief Nawaz Sharif and they both agreed to work together on the issue.
In his discussion with Mr Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister assured that federal government would extend full support to all the provincial governments to fight terrorism.
The Prime Minister said as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is a coalition partner in the provincial governments, it will be in the forefront of efforts to eradicate terrorism.
The Prime Minister’s call to Nawaz Sharif was part of his initiative to develop national consensus on issue of terrorism, officials at the PM’s office said.
Ahead of the conference, Mr Gilani will chair a meeting of provincial chief ministers and home ministers on Monday at the PM Secretariat to discuss and review the security situation.
The government also recently got passed a resolution in Parliament to promote collective efforts to fight terrorism.
Last year the government called an All Parties Conference (APC) and got backing of the political leadership for its military operation in Swat and tribal areas.
The APC attended by leaders of 43 political parties adopted a joint declaration supporting the government efforts to restore peace and constitutional rule in the troubled region of Malakand and Swat.
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Imran: Can solve issue in 90 days
Age correspondent
Islamabad
July 4: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Sunday claimed that if he was the PM of Pakistan, he would have eliminated the menace of terrorism within 90 days. Mr Khan said that Pakistan is paying the price for fighting a proxy war for America. He said the real terrorists should be eliminated but “if we treat the enemies of America as our enemies the war will continue”.
Mr Khan noted that the war on terror has taken a heavy toll on Pakistan’s economy and only a small group of ruling elite are profiting from the aid and loans.