Civil, military leadership must act in unison to face challenges: Naek.

ISLAMABAD, November 06, 2009 (Balochistan Times): Chairman Senate, Mr. Farooq H. Naek has underscored the need to evolve a broad national consensus to tackle key issues of pressing nature including terrorism and extremism by taking all stakeholders on board. He was addressing the Certificate Award Ceremony of the 10th National Security Workshop held at the National Defence University, Islamabad. It was attended among others by a group of parliamentarians, civil society members and journalists. It included Senators Jahangir Badar and Mir Hasil Bizenjo, MPAs Shafi Muhammad, Athar Gorchani, Muhammad Anwar Khan and Tariq Bugti. The Chairman said the civil and military leadership of the country must act in unison to face myriad of challenges which confront us today. No other country in the world, he said has borne the brunt of blood thirsty tidal wave of terror as Pakistan. As a key ally in the war on terror, Pakistan has suffered the ravages of terrorism the most. Despite heavy odds it is suffering, the resolve to combat terror remains resolute and unshakeable, he added. He reminded that our brave leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto also laid down her life while courageously challenging the perpetrators of terrorism. Mr. Farooq Naek added it is encouraging to note that today the entire nation backs the governments efforts against terrorists. The on-going operation in South Waziristan had full backing and support of the Parliament, civil society and media. However, the effective pursuit of national security, he said requires developing a strategic framework which encompasses all elements of national power, tangible as well as intangible. It must also focus on the complex ways in which national, regional and global factors impinge upon the security outlook of a country. Concludingly, the Chairman said our message to terrorists is clear and unequivocal. We would not allow our territory to be used by terrorists and that we would not be daunted by terrorist threats. Our President Asif Ali Zardari has said that we will fight terrorism to its very end. Earlier, the Acting President NDU Maj. Gen. Azhar Ali Shah welcoming the participants said the basic purpose of the 5- week course was to create a better understanding of issues and to deliberate upon state craft and policy planning with special focus on National Security. The participation of various segments of society lend greater credibility, depth and diversity which would help in developing consensus solutions to host of issues of vital national significance.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)