Says Militants Stand Alienated for Regressive Policies; Seeks Cooperation from Political Forces and Civil Society to Mainstream the Violence Hit Population

Islamabad, February 03, 09: The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman has said that the public consensus against violence in Swat serves as a huge boost to the government's efforts for the restoration of law and order in the region.

Talking to a private channel in Islamabad today, Ms Sherry Rehman said that Swat militants have been ideologically alienated and are considered as enemies of Pakistan. "The government action to control militancy in Swat is fully backed by the public, and this reflects complete rejection of the regressive policies and agenda of the militants."

The Information Minister said that the government has only decided to deploy army and paramilitary troops at educational institutes in Mingora to fight the Taliban attack on schools. "We privilige dialogue over force, but when the writ of the state is challenged the government has to act. We are committed to reopen as many schools as we can after the winter break."

Answering a question on the Prime Minister's statement regarding a new strategy to address violence in Swat, the Federal Information Minister said that the government is keen to explore all options to ensure peace, restore law and order and restrict collateral damage in the region. " We cannot leave our people at the mercy of the terrorists. At the same time, it is important to pursue a strategy that incorporates political and social measures to build the architecture of sustainable peace in Swat, and in the tribal areas. We would therefore be focusing on the political parties and the elected representatives of the region to create political space and participatory structures to raise the stakes for all concerned, in peace and prosperity."

The Federal Information Minister stressed the need for cooperation between all elements that see militancy as threat to the stability of the country. "We can neither afford to waste time blaming the previous regime for criminally ignoring the issue, nor can we allow our citizens to be ruthlessly murdered and maimed by the forces that are bent on destroying Pakistan. Swat is Pakistan's territory and the local citizens, the media and the civil society must work alongside the elected government to dismantle the militant structure and establish peace in the region."

Ms Sherry Rehman said that there is complete unanimity between all sections of the political forces, the parliament and the armed forces on the issue of national security. "We see terrorism as a challenge to our national development, and agree on employing all means to root out militancy from the country. This unanimity is central to our efforts for the restoration of law and order in Swat and the FATA, as there are no divergences between the government policies and the actions on the ground."

The Federal Information Minister invited the cooperation of the civil society for the creation of opportunities for social and economic empowerment for the population of the terrorism-affected areas. "This is important for long-term progress and peace. The government is already working on a comprehensive social and economic plan for the region. At the same time, we are keen to work with the civil society to support our efforts as there is need for sustained engagement and cooperation to mainstream the marginalised population of the violence-hit areas."