Pakistani lawmakers have resolved to counter militancy and extremism through dialogue, saying parleys will be held with all “elements willing to abide by the Constitution of Pakistan and rule of law”.A consensus resolution passed at the conclusion of the joint session of the National Assembly and Senate, convened by President Asif Ali Zardari to evolve a homegrown anti-terror policy, said “extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and manifestations pose a grave danger to the stability and integrity” of Pakistan. It said “dialogue must now be the highest priority as a principal instrument of conflict management and resolution”.The resolution came on Wednesday in the wake of reports that the bipartisan panel authorised to draft it was divided over the means to be used to combat terrorism.The Opposition, including the PML(N), have called for a dialogue with the Taliban while the ruling PPP is under pressure from the world community, especially the US, to do more to counter militancy in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.The resolution said Pakistan’s territory would “not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters, if found, shall be expelled from our soil”.It said there was a need for “an urgent review of our national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability to Pakistan and the region through an independent foreign policy”. The challenge of militancy and extremism “must be met through developing a consensus and dialogue with all genuine stakeholders”, it added.In an apparent reference to cross-border missile strikes in the tribal areas by US-led forces in Afghanistan, the resolution said: “Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity shall be safeguarded” and the country would stand “united against any incursions and invasions of the homeland”.Addressing the conclusion session of the in-camera sitting of the two houses of Parliament, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said his Government would safeguard the country’s frontiers at all costs and never allow any foreign power to mar its territorial sanctity.The Government will not let a “handful” of foreign and misguided people and their accomplices in Pakistan drag the entire country in the wrong direction, he said. “The essence of democracy ensures the rule of the majority and protection to the rights of the minority,” he added.Pakistan will also not allow its soil to be used for attacks or planning aggression against any country, particularly its neighbouring states, the Prime Minister added.
