He said acts of violence would not be tolerated on the country's soil and that the government would appropriately respond to any such attacks. The Federal Minister categorically stated the government had a clear stance over country's security. He said the government and Taliban committees were constantly in contact to resume a stalled peace process. He, however, said despite the events of the past several days, the government still preferred the route of peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to an army action against them. He said the government was sincerely working towards establishing peace in the country, adding that it would remove all the stumbling blocks in that regard.
About recent strikes in various tribal agencies, he said the security forces air strikes were 'pre-emptive' or in retaliation. About the claim of Taliban regarding the killing of their associates in the alleged custody of security forces, he termed it a fiction or a negative propaganda against security forces. He said that government had already sought evidence.
Responding to another question, he said successive governments had completely neglected the law enforcement agencies to equip them with modern technologies and instruments along with other requirements. He said the incumbent government had taken an initiative to launch a 'Rapid Response Force', while that idea had been replicated by governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said around 500-2000 personnel would be recruited in the RRF, who will be equipped with latest equipments and protective gadgets.
Accompanied by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak, KP Governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan, IGP KP Nasir Khan Durrani, Chief Secretary Shahzad Arbab, and other high officials, the Federal Minister said that the government had been importing more than 65 vehicles equipped with devices to detect Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) and bombs from China. He further added four such vehicles would arrive in a few days, while the remaining 50 vehicles would be gradually imported.
"We are struggling for a peaceful future of Pakistan, which will be only possible with co-ordinated efforts, of centre, provincial governments, security institutions and intelligence agencies," Khan said. He reiterated that the government would make all-out efforts to restore sustainable and durable peace in the country.
The Minister said the incumbent government had drafted a comprehensive National Security Policy within a shortest period of six months. According to him, the policy is not final. He said a clause would be added to the policy, to take provincial governments on board to have better intelligence sharing between police and other law enforcement agencies. He said that a joint directorate of all the intelligence agencies will be created.
Sharing the decision of the meeting on security issues, held at Governor's House, the Federal Minister said the discussion focuses on internal security and integrity of the country. He said it had been decided to hold a meeting of Chief Ministers of four federating units and a meeting with elected representatives of parliaments and senate, to discuss overall security issues, and development of better co-ordination among the provinces.
Chaudhry Nisar said that during the meeting, he realised that the Federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government were moving in the same directions to deal with law and order and security issues. He said the government would lend every possible support to the province to help it counter extremism and terrorism in a better way. He stressed the need for co-ordinated efforts beyond any political affiliation, to combat terrorism and establish ever-lasting peace in the country.
KP Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak said the provincial government had fully agreed with the initiatives and efforts of federal government towards countering terrorism and establishment of peace. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the frontline province in the ongoing war against terrorism. He stressed the need for development of better co-ordination and consensus on all issues. He assured the Federal government that KP would fully support any step aimed at establishing sustainable peace. KP Governor, Engineer Shaukatullah Khan said that the government was seriously taking steps towards brining stability and ever-lasting calm in KP, Fata and other parts of the country. He urged the media to play its effective and positive role towards highlighting efforts of the incumbent government for establishment of peace.