All parties' conference divided on supporting Pak Army action in Swat

Islamabad, May 19 (ANI): An all-parties conference (APC), which vowed to unite the nation against the insurgency in Swat and Malakand, is clearly divided in providing support to Pakistan's armed forces for the protection of the lives and property of citizens.

The APC in a 16-point resolution drafted by PPP leader Raza Rabbani asked the government to implement a resolution passed last October during a joint sitting of parliament and subsequent recommendations by a parliamentary committee on national security.

Surprisingly, there was no specific mention of the Taliban in the resolution, which reaffirmed to protect and defend the constitution and sovereignty of Pakistan. It called for the establishment of the writ of the state.

In Clause 5 of a government-prepared draft, it was proposed to endorse the role of the armed and security forces in the current situation, but Pakistan Muslim League-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain sought an amendment in the draft, and proposed support for the "positive role of the armed and security forces of Pakistan."

Besides the government, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement supported this proposal, the Daily Times reports.

Sources said the PML-N, JUI-F, JUI-Sami, Jamait Ulema-e-Pakistan-Noorani, Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and some other smaller parties opposed the proposal, and said they would not agree to any clause supporting military action.

"If you do not delete this clause from the draft, we will walk out from the APC," they threatened.

The clause was deleted from the draft. These parties agreed that the APC might pass a resolution to support the constitution and the writ of the government, in addition to supporting the efforts aimed at the welfare of IDPs.

"This concession was, in fact, given to the government as a face saving gesture," the sources said. (ANI)