http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\02\14\story_14-2-2009_pg1_8

Force only option to end militancy, says Zardari



* President says govt won't allow handful of insurgents to impose their will on 
tribal people 
* ISI chief briefs meeting on Swat, FATA situation 
* Participants vow to continue fight until end of militancy

By Sajjad Malik

ISLAMABAD: The government has no alternative except to use force against the 
Taliban to end militancy in the country, President Asif Ali Zardari said on 
Friday while vowing to eliminate the insurgents.

He was addressing a meeting jointly presided over by the president and Prime 
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to review the situation in FATA and Swat.

The president said the Taliban wanted to impose their political agenda on the 
people of Pakistan through use of force, adding that the government and the 
people would never allow a handful of insurgents to do so. Paying tribute to 
the bravery and patriotism of the members of law enforcement agencies, he said 
many of them had laid their lives on the line and many more had been injured in 
the line of duty. "They are our heroes," he said.

ISI chief: During the meeting, sources said Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) 
chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha gave a detailed briefing on the current 
situation in Swat and FATA and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies 
to restore normalcy in the troubled areas. 

The participants expressed satisfaction with the ongoing fight against the 
Taliban, and vowed to continue until the Taliban had been removed and the 
government's writ had been restored.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the COAS called on the president 
at the Presidency and discussed various security concerns. They also discussed 
the Indian response to the Pakistani investigations and said Pakistan was 
committed to bringing anyone involved in the Mumbai attack to justice.


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