Gilani says army not a permanent solution to restore peace in Swat

Islamabad, May 16 (ANI): The military operation is not enough to restore peace in Pakistan's troubled areas, but a political dimension is needed to attain a permanent solution, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said.

"I am well aware that the army operation is not a permanent solution to our problems, and political dimensions need to be incorporated to reach a consensus for lasting peace in the troubled areas," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

Addressing an in-camera briefing on Swat situation, Gilani said the situation in Pakistan was not normal, as the Taliban was challenging the sovereignty of the nation.

"Pakistan is at the crossroads of its history, the situation is not normal, the Taliban have threatened the very fabric of our society. Our efforts for a peaceful [settlement] were taken as our weakness," he said, adding that the briefing was aimed at taking all the political parties into confidence.

He said suggestions by the in-camera meeting and an upcoming APC would be "incorporated in our national security policy".

Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani assured the meeting that the Taliban would be flushed out from Swat and Malakand 'soon'.

"The operation is going on as per our plan. The army is following a strategy of minimum collateral damage," Kayani said.

According to the sources, the political leadership was briefed on the operational side of the offensive and on the steps being taken to settle the IDPs during the meeting. (ANI)