Islamabad stresses comprehensive strategy to eradicate terror
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan has stressed that only military means are not enough to stamp out terrorism adding short and long term strategy will have to be pursued and political conflicts will have to be addressed on this count.
"The steps taken to eradicate terrorism after 9/11 events have remained insufficient. The terrorism can not be wiped out through military action only. Short and long term mechanism will have to be hammered out , political disputes should be resolved and all reservations should be addressed in this regard", said foreign office spokesperson Ms Tasneem Aslam in her weekly press briefing here Monday.
The spokeswoman said Pakistan strongly condemns bomb blasts in Malegaon in Mahrashtra state of India.
Responding to a question, she said in regard to strategy followed in the last five years for elimination of terrorism, several people from all the world countries are of opinion that it had not helped curb the menace of terrorism.
Responding to a question the spokesperson said terrorism issue has not come to end. We will have to move forward under long term and comprehensive strategy. Economic and social disparities will have to be addressed. All the root causes will have to be looked into.
Pakistan has played key role in war on terror, she reiterated. Pakistan has outpaced any other country of the world in this connection.
Suicide attacks are not only being carried out in Pakistan but also they are taking place all over the world. It is difficult to escape from them.
"We will not talk to US about the allegation on presence of Mulla Omar in Quetta. The source of this news item is not known. Mulla Omar is however not in Quetta, she added.
She went on to say that the peace deal has been struck between government and tribesmen and not with some one else. Every country including US can see Waziristan accord. This agreement has been executed between NWFP government and tribesmen rather than Taliban. Under this deal no one will be allowed to initiate military action in FATA. The tribesmen and tribal elders will have to be taken into confidence. This accord will benefit Afghanistan too. No foreigner will be able to use our territory for one's activities.
This deal is not a defeat, she underlined adding it is part of Pakistan long term policy so that peace prevails in the area.
The spokesperson held US was not sending some special unit to hunt for Osama bin Laden. "We on our own will take action on our soil against the terrorists. Osama is not present on our side. The reports published by a section of US press are baseless.
To a question the spokesperson said General Musharraf visit to US is very vital. President will exchange views with his US counterpart President Bush on important matters.
She told that Pakistan army sappers are being dispatched to Lebanon on the request of Lebanese government for de-mining. It is not peace keeping force. The sappers will work in three areas of activity including clearance of war zone, defusing cluster bombs and de-mining.
She indicated there is no special agenda of talks between President Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Both the leader will discuss a range of issues including Kashmir, peace process and whatever they will.
The spokeswoman said " we have repeatedly raised voice on human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and taken up the issue in negotiations to facilitate the life of Kashmiris.
She told a meeting of neutral experts on Baglihar dam will take place next month. The interim report will come. India will formulate new design of Kishanganga dam.
The spokeswoman told President Musharraf will undertake the visit of Belgium from September 11 to 14. Cabinet members and parliamentarians are accompanying him. Besides his meeting with prime minister of Belgium President will also meet European Union president, she added. President will also address international forum on Kashmir issue.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will inaugurate Torkham-Jalalabad road, she informed.