By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said the miscreants in any part of Pakistan would not be allowed to make people hostage with their extreme behaviour and threats.
“The protection of people and property is the government’s top priority instilling a sense of security,� the Prime Minister stated while chairing the cabinet meeting at the PM Secretariat.
Prime Minister Aziz said the government made every possible effort to resolve the Lal Masjid issue through dialogue and mutual understanding. The political leaders, Ministers, the Ulema and even the Imam of Kaaba played a positive role to get the issue resolved through talks.
“But our sincere efforts to resolve the matter through negotiations were misconstrued as our weakness,� the Prime Minister added.
He further said, “Delay in action on part of the government was aimed at minimizing collateral loss of life and property and according safe return to the women and children made hostage by the extremist administration of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa.�
The Prime Minister made it clear that time for negotiations with the management of Lal Masjid had lapsed due to the obstinate and uncompromising attitude of the Ghazi Brothers and said amnesty would be granted to the women and children who come out voluntarily.
The Prime Minister appreciated the performance of law enforcement agencies and said that high sense of restraint, tolerance and commitment to duty displayed by government agencies against all sorts of provocation helped ensure minimum loss of life to the citizens, the women, children and the residents of the area.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the writ of state will be maintained at all cost. He appreciated the efforts of law enforcement agencies functioning in different parts of the country particularly in tribal areas and parts of NWFP.
The Chief Secretary of NWFP briefed the cabinet about the law and order situation in NWFP, FATA and PATA. He explained the reasons for the unfortunate violent incidents which took place during 2007, in some parts of the province and the measures adopted to minimize such happenings in future.
He also apprised the cabinet on the political and reconciliatory efforts being made in some parts of FATA to help resolve the security problems.
Prime Minister Aziz expressed his satisfaction over the relief operations and appreciated the assistance extended by the Armed Forces for flood-affected areas.
The Chairman NDMA Lt Gen. Muhammad Farooq also briefed the cabinet on the role of the Authority for any disaster. He gave a presentation on details of damages during recent cyclones and floods in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP. He apprised the cabinet about relief operations; restoration of infrastructure, communication and interaction with the diplomatic corp. He briefly touched upon the assessment of damages and future phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The members of the Cabinet took active part in discussion and gave a number of proposals on Lal Masjid situation, law and order in NWFP and the relief operation in flood affected areas.