Pakistan to review anti-terror policy

 

By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad

 

Pakistan will review its policy in the “war on terror” after former president Pervez Musharraf’s departure. A key aim is to discourage people from turning to militancy by giving them greater social and economic support.

 

The comments from Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan’s high commissioner in London, coincided on Tuesday with growing speculation that Mr Musharraf’s resignation this week would bring new US pressure on the coalition government to demonstrate stronger resolve in fighting Islamist militancy.

 

Mr Hasan said in a phone interview: “We have to stop people from taking the road to militancy. The biggest flaw with Musharraf’s policy was that he had placed too much emphasis on the military strategy alone. How can you win against your own people, and that, too, when they are opposed to you so strongly.”

 

Mr Hasan’s remarks echoed critics who have opposed Islamabad’s reliance on military operations to fight militants.

 

Abdul Qayyum, a former army commander, said “reorienting the war on terror was necessary for the army as well. The army has fought in the border area for six years and they haven’t been able to curb the militants. Maybe it is time to win hearts and minds of local people and make them your allies.”

 

 

August 19 2008 

Courtesy:  Financial Times