Pakistan Muslim League backs anti-Taliban assault
Refugees from Mingora
UPI Photo/Sajjad Ali Qureshi
The Pakistan Muslim League and its leader, Mian Nawaz Sharif, signaled support for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his ongoing security operations against the Taliban in the Malakand region Tuesday during the All Parties Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan’s English-language newspaper Dawn reported.
Sharif’s closest lieutenant, Raja Zafarul Haq, declared that the party fully backs the anti-Taliban assault, telling the newspaper that the PML-N also wouldn’t hesitate to support a similar operation in Waziristan, part of the country’s ungoverned tribal areas and home to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.
The All Parties Conference was called by Gilani to forge a political consensus among Pakistan’s parliamentary groups around the military campaign to fight Taliban militants in Swat and surrounding areas of the Malakand region. Dawn said that despite reservations expressed by relatively small parties, the conference produced a declaration of support for the government’s actions.
None of this is easy. Never ever easy.
Distanced by miles and time, I have wondered as many have if President Zardari and his political associates have the experience and strength of position to bring together a consensus – against the Taliban threat. Confronting the Islamist minority who would distort history and religion and even the just anti-imperialist sentiments of the region to goals of their sectarian agenda.
It appears they are capable and the people of Pakistan are willing. Pretty good combination.
