Zardari says military drive against militants will continue

Islamabad, Oct 4 (PTI) Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday said the military drive against militants would continue till normalcy was restored in the country as a major offensive against the Taliban in the restive North West Frontier Province entered the second month.

Zardari reviewed the security situation across
Pakistan with army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the
presidential palace and especially the progress of the push
against the militants in the Bajaur tribal region.

According to the military, over 1,000 Taliban fighters
have been killed in Bajaur in the month-long offensive with
officials saying that the success of the operation in this
region is key to quelling militancy across the tribal belt.

Kayani, who has just returned from a visit to Bajaur
and other in N.W.F.P., said the operation in the region will
continue and the move was endorsed by Zardari.

Zardari said Pakistan will continue its war against
terror till peace is restored across the country. He said
nobody will be allowed to "spread negativity in the country
that could prove detrimental to national sovereignty".

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Awami National
Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, who escaped a bid on his life
by a suicide bomber on Thursday, also met Zardari to discuss
the security situation, especially in the tribal areas.

Zardari told them terrorism could be defeated if the
country fosters unity and strength in its ranks. Zardari and
Gilani condemned the suicide attack on Khan that killed four
persons.

Khan held "foreign elements" responsible for the
attack and said such "cowardly acts" would not deter the
A.N.P. from its policy of establishing peace and stability in
the country.

Gilani said the unflinching resolve of the political
dispensation combined with the backing of the nation would
frustrate the designs of terrorists.