Swat offensive to conclude only when extremism is rooted out : Zardari

Lahore, July 5 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the offensive against the Taliban and other extremist groups being carried out in the Swat and Malakand Divisions would be concluded only when the region is completely sanitized.

Zardari met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani here to discuss issues relating to the security situation in the country including the ongoing campaign against Taliban in Swat, Malakand and FATA.

"The government would not yield to terrorists and take the war on terror to its conclusion," The Daily times quoted Zardari, as saying.

According to sources, General Kayani, during the meeting, apprised the leaders about the latest development in the Swat operation, and said that the security forces have regained control of about 90 percent of the region.

General Kayani also stressed on the need for early restoration of infrastructure and civil administration in conflict-hit areas to bring the life back to normal, sources said.

The leaders opined that military operations should be conducted wherever the writ of the government is challenged, they added. (ANI)