"There is a need of cohesive policy. There is also a need of shift from the policies pursued by the US during the Bush era and Pakistan during Musharraf regime. This will help the government in claiming in real term that war against militancy is Pakistan's own war," sources told Business Recorder here on Monday.
The present government is more serious than Musharraf regime to eliminate militants from tribal areas and Swat. During Musharraf's seven years after 9/11, the Taliban movement had not suffered any major or serious setback.
The present democratic government has more capacity to alienate Taliban from the people of Fata and some areas of the NWFP, if the government pursued a long term policy. The US wants everything in haste, while Pakistan needs some more time to grasp the real situation especially in the wake of some reports in which Pakistani forces clearly indicated that most of the militants are coming from outside.
The local people in Swat district, Bajaur and Mohmand agencies are in great trouble due to the presence of foreign elements in militant ranks. The brutal butchering of some local people is mostly done by the foreign elements within the Taliban.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Monday held an important meeting and discussed the overall security situation in the country and preparedness of the armed forces for meeting any eventuality.
The meeting was held at a time when the US President's special envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke arrived here on a four-day tour. Holbrooke maiden visit to Pakistan as US president special envoy will provide the first opportunity to the democratic government to present its viewpoint to the new US administration.
Zardari-Kayani meeting was held after the militants carried out their activities in two southern Punjab major cities of Jhang and Mianwali. Although Jhang incident is mainly seen in the perspective of sectarian violence, it is still considered that southern Punjab could become prime target of militants if the government intensified operations in Swat and Fata. The Taliban are also applying pressure tactics on the government and intensifying their activities of targeting the state installations in southern NWFP district of Bannu, close to North Waziristan agency.
President Asif Ali Zardari was informed by the army chief on the situation in Swat, Bajaur and Mohmand, where the military operations against the militants are underway. General Kayani also informed him about his recent visits to the frontline in Swat and Mohmand Agency. He said that the morale of the troops fighting militants was high. Zardari said, "Defeat is no option in war against militancy."
The President and COAS also discussed the situation on eastern border, as Pakistan is almost ready to officially respond to India's dossier regarding 26/11 Mumbai terrorist strikes. The government is likely to inform the US about its findings on Mumbai incident. The heightened tension between Pakistan and India could jeopardise Pakistan campaign against militancy most taking near volatile western border.
Pakistan is also of the view that drones attacks actually weaken the writ of state in the militancy-hit areas of Fata. Weak writ does not help the government in launching serious efforts to alienate Taliban from their sympathisers and supporters in Pakistani society. There is also a need that the US, Nato forces and Afghan troops must target the Taliban inside Afghanistan territory.
Some circles are of the view that there is also a need that Pakistani political and military leadership reconcile their efforts. The police force and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) have been the prime target of the terrorists' activities. There is lack of co-ordination between security forces and police force.